A retirement planner at an Island insurance firm has qualified as a specialist in the field.

Laurie Daniels, customer services manager at Colonial Group, has become a chartered retirement planning counsellor (CRPC) after successfully completing an online course at the Colorado-based College for Financial Planning.

Ms Daniels said: “I have not yet seen anyone in Bermuda with the same qualification.

“The designation qualifies me to specialise in retirement planning and complements my role in providing pre- and post-retirement guidance and advice to all pension members.”

Ms Daniels added that she came from a background in education and previously qualified with a Master’s degree in education leadership before joining the insurance industry.

She explained: “That qualification did not necessarily qualify me to talk to someone about their pension. With the CRPC, I am now qualified as a specialist in retirement planning.”

Ms Daniels said that Colonial was proud of its one-on-one approach to its clients.

She added: “We hold enrolment sessions, regular pension reviews and investment seminars to provide information and support to our members.

“With regards to retirement planning, we meet with them to review their retirement goals and expectations so that they end up with the retirement they deserve.”

Colonial chief operating officer for pensions Marie Jo Caesar said: “This was a rigorous course and the College for Financial Planning is a well-respected and established institution.

“We take training and investment in our staff seriously at Colonial and I am delighted to see Laurie do so well.”