Courses
Overview of Modules
ASPPA’s Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) courses are designed to convey the broad base of knowledge necessary for every retirement plan professional to master. RPF course materials aid in establishing groundwork in retirement plan terminology, issues, and requirements for individuals beginning a career, reentering the retirement field, or commencing the ASPPA credential process. Each module contains a presentation designed to simulate a live learning environment; a companion file containing a downloadable version of the PowerPoint slides used by the instructor in the presentation, a set of clarifications of the instructor’s comments in the presentation; and an assessment review quiz that can be provided to employers as proof of module completion. The review quiz is a study tool only and does not constitute the ASPPA credentialing exam.
Module Titles and Summaries
RPF 1 Course includes the following modules:
- Plan Basics - Module Part 1 - 43.41 minutes
- Learn about benefit plans. Pension benefit plans vs. welfare benefit plans. Defined contribution plans vs. defined benefit plans. What is ERISA? What is a qualified plan and the advantages of having one?
- Plan Basics - Module Part 2 - 45.26 minutes
- Learn about who can sponsor a retirement plan and the parties involved in running a qualified plan. Who is a fiduciary, plan administrator, or an actuary and what do they do? What are prohibited transactions and who are parties-in-interest?
- Defined Contribution Plans - Module Part 1 - 38.26 minutes
- This module presents an overview of the characteristics of defined contributions plans. Then it delves into the characteristics that make each defined contribution plan different. The common ones considered are the profit sharing plan, money purchase plans and 401(k) plans.
- Defined Contribution Plans - Module Part 2 - 30.42 minutes
- This module continues looking at the characteristics that make each defined contribution plan different and considers some of the more unusual types of plans. It looks at IRAs, SEPs, SIMPLEs, 401(b) plans, 457 plans and ESOPs. The module goes on to talk about deductibility of employer contributions in a defined contribution plan.
- Defined Benefit Plans- Module Part 1 - 42.13 minutes
- Hear a discussion about the general characteristics of defined benefit plans. Then move into some of the specific issues that affect these plans like funding issues, benefit formulas and the normal form of benefit.
- Defined Benefit Plans- Module Part 2 - 22.15 minutes
- Continue hearing about more of the specific issues that affect defined benefit plans including accrued benefits, actuarial equivalence, maximum benefit limitations and maximum tax deductions.
- Plan Qualification and Document Language - Module Part 1 - 36.56 minutes
- The presenter talks about the benefits of a qualified plan and what the qualification requirements are. It ends with a presentation about the types of qualified plan documents considering master/prototype plans vs volume submitter vs. individually designed plans.
- Plan Qualification and Document Language - Module Part 2 - 43.28 minutes
- All plan documents have common provisions. This module presents many of these such as eligibility, entry dates, vesting and common definitions. There is a discussion of various documents that must be created when an employer sets up a qualified plan. The module ends with a talk about government guidance that affects qualification: ERISA, Code, Regulations, Rulings, etc.
- Distributions from A to Z - Module Part 1 - 29.27 minutes
- The distribution presentation is in three modules. The first one addresses when payments to participant are permitted, the amount of benefit payments from a plan and then covers withdrawals that occur when a participant is still employed … in-service, hardships and QDROs.
- Distributions from A to Z - Module Part 2 - 11.54 minutes
- The second module goes over distributions that are made when an employee has terminated from employment. It looks at required distribution forms and alternate distribution forms.
- Distributions from A to Z - Module Part 3 - 23.59 minutes
- The third module addresses taxation of distributions, rollover, withholding and required minimum distributions.
- Participant Loans - Module Part 1 - 15.09 minutes
- Learn about the benefits of having a participant loan program in a 401(k) plan. The legal background is considered and then a full discussion of what allows a loan to be exempt from the prohibited transaction rules.
- Participant Loans - Module Part 2 - 34.07 minutes
- Continuing the discussion of loans this module goes into the taxation perspective of loans and what is necessary to avoid having the loan treated as a distribution. Issues such as the maximum loan amount rules, the loan terms and refinancing are discussed.
- Plan Changes and Error Corrections - Module 1 - 26.14 minutes
- During the life of a plan events occur that will require the plan document to be changed. These may be generated at the employer level or from outside sources such as the affects of legislation. These events are discussed plus how to make amendments and employee notification requirements.
- Plan Changes and Error Corrections - Module 2 - 26.51 minutes
- This module addresses the consequence of plan disqualification and then the programs available through the IRS to correct certain qualification issues. The DOL’s correction program for fiduciary violations is also covered.
RPF 2 Course includes the following modules:
- Top Heavy Plans and Coverage Testing - Module Part 1 - 20.48 minutes
- Learn to identify Key employees and characteristics of Top Heavy plans as well as how to run a top heavy test when more than one plan is involved.
- Top Heavy Plans and Coverage Testing - Module Part 2 - 20.47 minutes
- Learn the meaning of coverage and benefitting, who can be excluded and how to run a coverage test.
- HCEs and 401(k) Nondiscrimination Rules - Module Part 1 - 28.44 minutes
- Learn how to identify a Highly Compensated Employee and how to perform nondiscrimination testing for a 401(k) plan and associated correction methods for failed tests.
- HCEs and 401(k) Nondiscrimination Rules - Module Part 2 - 23.25 minutes
- Learn the defining characteristics of an ACP and how to utilize a design based safe harbor to avoid ADP/ACP testing.
- Defined Contribution Allocations and Annual Additions - Module Part 1 - 34.30 minutes
- Learn about types of contributions, allocations earnings associated with DC plan and the limits the affect them.
- Defined Contribution Allocations and Annual Additions - Module Part 2 - 14.39 minutes
- Learn about how forfeitures occur and their use in a DC plan and how to calculate maximum annual additions.
- Investments in Daily Valued Plans - Module Part 1 - 47.20 minutes
- Learn characteristics and concepts for various investment options available in the qualified plan market. The module specifically addresses asset classes, mutual funds and types of stable value investment contracts.
- Investments in Daily Valued Plans - Module Part 2 - 35.22 minutes
- Learn characteristics and concepts for various investment options available in the qualified plan market. The module specifically addresses life insurance and employer stock.
- Fiduciary Considerations - Module Part 1 - 23.11 minutes
- Learn how to identify a fiduciary based on ERISA, some of the fiduciary functions specifically in the selection and maintenance of investments in the plan.
- Fiduciary Considerations - Module Part 2 - 28.44 minutes
- Learn how the Pension Protection Act changed ERISA 404(c), how to differentiate investment advice from education, how to address deposit timing and how fiduciary rules relate to TPAs.
- Conversions (Decisions and Issues) - Module Part 1 - 27.06 minutes
- Learn when a conversion occurs and how establish expectations for converting a qualified plan.
- Conversions (Decisions and Issues) - Module Part 2 - 24.25 minutes
- Learn how to establish expectations for converting a qualified plan, specifically the interplay of VRU / website capabilities, investment transition and reporting and communicating with participants.
- Conversions: (Types and Methods) - Module Part 3 - 17.55 minutes
- Learn about blackout periods and various types of conversions in relation to the type of record keeping used by each entity involved in the transition of the plan.
- Conversions: (Types and Methods) - Module Part 4 - 16.39 minutes
- Learn about how take plans from a daily environment to daily as well as going from a balance-forward to daily environment.
- Differences Between Balance-Forward and Daily Valuation - Module Part 1 - 20.33 minutes
- Learn the defining characteristics of these two accounting methods and the differences in allocating earnings
- Differences Between Balance-Forward and Daily Valuation - Module Part 2 - 35.24 minutes
- We continue to explore the differences in these two accounting methods specifically as it relates to reporting, transaction processing, investment types and automated response systems.
Additional Institute Offerings
- Hot Topix Series
- A series of modules concerning pressing issues in the retirement savings arena. At the present time, we are featuring a three-part presentation on recent changes in 403(b) regulations.
