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Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) Certificate

The RPF Certificate Program covers basics of retirement plan administration and is perfect for learners newer to retirement plan administration, and acts as an industry review for experienced professionals. 

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
The RPF Certificate program is divided into six (6) introductory educational courses or modules, each containing a downloadable study guide, online interactive practice activities, resources, and an open-book assessment. Candidates must complete all six modules to earn the RPF certificate and can purchase the modules as a package set. See the content breakdown below! 

WHO IT'S FOR
The RPF Certificate Program is design for individuals with 6-12 months of industry experience. RPF provides practical knowledge for employees who support operations and administration.

There are no prerequisites but it’s highly recommended to take the Introduction to Retirement Plans Certificate program (Introduction to Retirement Plans) before RPF.

WHAT IT TAKES
To complete the certificate course, you are required to complete each module and pass each module’s assessment with a score of 80% or better. You have unlimited attempts to pass. A certificate of completion is provided once you have successfully completed each module and pass all final assessments.

PURCHASE
You have access to the course for 180 days from your date of purchase.

COURSE CONTENT BREAKDOWN
Module 1: Lifecycle of a Plan

  • Unit 1: Why do employers establish qualified plans?
  • Unit 2: What is the process for setting up the plan?
  • Unit 3: Who is covered?
  • Unit 4: How does money get into the plan? (Contributions)
  • Unit 5: When can people take money out? (Distributions)
  • Unit 6: How does a plan maintain tax qualification?
  • Unit 7: Who helps manage the plan?

Module 2: Contributions

  • Unit 1: Eligibility
  • Unit 2: Plan Entry and Participation
  • Unit 3: Contribution Types
  • Unit 4: Tracking Employee Account Information

Module 3: Distributions

  • Unit 1: The Distribution Process
  • Unit 2: Termination of Employment
  • Unit 3: In-Service Withdrawals
  • Unit 4: Hardship Withdrawals
  • Unit 5: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
  • Unit 6: Other Distributable Events
  • Unit 7: Employer Responsibility

Module 4: Participant Loans

  • Unit 1: Rules that Govern Participant Loans
  • Unit 2: Calculating the Loan Amount and Refinancing
  • Unit 3: Repayment Requirements and Consequences of Defaults
  • Unit 4: Advantages and Disadvantages of Loans

Module 5: Testing

  • Unit 1: Highly Compensated Employees
  • Unit 2: Minimum Coverage Testing
  • Unit 3: Annual Limits
  • Unit 4: Nondiscrimination Testing
  • Unit 5: Top-Heavy Testing
  • Unit 6: Annual Reporting

Module 6: New Business

  • Unit 1: Preparation for a “Simple” Conversion
  • Unit 2: Completing the Conversion Process
  • Unit 3: Complicating Factors
  • Unit 4: Case Studies