> ASPPA Welcomes New Chief of Pension Education
> ASPPA Update on the New QPFC Credential
> DC-2 Special Topics Webinar
> Web Courses
> Scheduling Your Exam Date with Prometric
> ASPPA Announces Recipients of the 2005 Educator’s Award and the Martin Rosenberg Academic Achievement Award
> ASPPA Welcomes New Staff
> Education & Examination Calendar

> Download Candidate Connection as PDF [PDF: 310K]

ASPPA Welcomes New Chief of Pension Education

ASPPA is pleased to announce the appointment of our Chief of Pension Education (CoPE), Bunny Wing Fernhall. As the senior academic leader of ASPPA, Bunny is responsible for providing the vision for future development of ASPPA’s education programs and overseeing the academic affairs of ASPPA. Bunny serves as the primary spokesperson for ASPPA’s Education and Examination (E&E) program and is therefore charged with advancing new program opportunities as well as developing significant relationships with business and academic leaders, while also ensuring the high quality, timeliness and effectiveness of E&E offerings.

Related Links : Publications Order Form : Continuing Education : Professional Credentials : Study Guide References print page

Bunny includes CFP education and tax and financial consulting as enhancements to her Fortune 500 and University credentials. A specialist in institutional advancement, program development and strategic planning, she previously served as executive director of Medical Center Advancement at The George Washington University Medical Center, accomplishing their record-setting campaign goal of $175 million, more than one year in advance of their set deadline. During her tenure as director of strategic planning at GWU she developed new academic program initiatives and streamlined fiscal strategies and procedures. As a current employee of the University of Michigan, ASPPA’s academic partner, Bunny brings a unique background and perspective on lifelong learning to ASPPA, providing a distinct advantage as ASPPA strives to be the preeminent educator for all retirement professionals.

Not one to sit back and wait for things to happen, Bunny takes a proactive position on any project or program that she is responsible for. The electronic delivery of The Candidate Connection that you are now reading was one of her first significant changes. “The delivery of timely and useful information is important to all our candidates who have committed to professional development,” says Bunny. “Their already busy calendars leave little time to search for educational opportunities and exam schedules. E-delivery of The Candidate Connection allows ASPPA to be responsive to the candidate needs and will provide a forum for candidate ideas and communication.”

Since joining ASPPA, Bunny has also immersed herself in the development of the new Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) credential program. She and her implementation team of volunteer experts, E&E leadership and Technical Education Consultants (TECs) have been working closely with a QPFC Advisory Task Force to fast-track the development of a rigorous and high-ranking credential for sales and investment professionals who work in the retirement field. “There has been a very convincing appeal from investment professionals for a comprehensive ASPPA credential that identifies specialists in retirement consulting,” Bunny states. With ASPPA’s 40-year history of providing education geared toward delivering expert knowledge and professional confidence, we are certain that the QPFC credential will come to be recognized as the industry standard.”

Bunny and Joan A. Gucciardi, MSPA, CPC, volunteer Chair of the E&E Committee, work in close partnership to ensure open communications and effective policy decision making. Watch future issues of The Candidate Connection for news on improvements to ASPPA educational programs and announcements of new exciting developments.

ASPPA Update on the New QPFC Credential

Brokers, wholesalers, investment and sales professionals, among others, have been asking for an ASPPA credential that reflects their knowledge and expertise in the retirement plan profession. We have been listening. In early 2006, the new Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) credential will be launched. QPFC is designed for the sales and investment professional who specializes in the qualified retirement plan field and desires to prove their expertise and achievement. It delivers a level of confidence in personal knowledge and proficiency in the field – not only to the credentialed experts, but to their clients, plan sponsors and others in the industry.

In addition to passing four required exams, candidates must meet one of the following requirements in order to be awarded the QPFC credential:

(1) Series 6, 7 or 65 license issued by the NASD and two letters of reference demonstrating at least two years of retirement plan related experience; or

(2) State life or annuity insurance license and two letters of reference demonstrating at least two years of retirement plan related experience; or

(3) Investment Advisor Representative or Registered Investment Advisor and two letters of reference demonstrating at least two years of retirement plan related experience; or

(4) Two letters of reference demonstrating at least three years of investment-related experience in connection with retirement plans.

The first two exams will cover Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF). They will be available early 2006 as self study, open book exams.  Consisting of multiple choice style questions, these exams will be delivered on a Web-based system. Candidates can take these exams at any time during a calendar year.  The second group of required exams will consist of two advanced level exams, covering topics in a case study or more real-life situation format.  These exams, also multiple choice, will be proctored and delivered at Prometric testing sites throughout the US.  There will be two annual exam windows for the advance level exams:  mid-May through June and November through mid-December.

Detailed learning objectives and information about textbooks, study guides and course study material will be announced in the next issue of The Candidate Connection.

Bunny Fernhall , Chief of Pension Education for ASPPA, states, “I anticipate that someone who is well-versed in the industry and passes the RPF exams early in the year may be able to sit for the two advanced exams and complete the program in one year.” She adds, “Candidates who have previously passed ASPPA’s PA-1, 2 and 3 exams can even waive the RPF requirements and fast forward to the two proctored exams to apply for QPFC by the end of 2006.”

Bunny will be meeting with senior management of key investment firms this fall to share information and respond to company requests. “We want to gauge the depth and breadth of the interest in QPFC,” she states, “The 1,200 plus participants at ASPPA’s The 401(k) SUMMIT are only the tip of the iceberg.”

If you and/or your company want to receive the latest news about QPFC development, fill out and return the QPFC update form . It would assist us if you can indicate the number of people at your company who are interested in attaining the QPFC credential.

Watch for advertising and press coverage about QPFC in the next few months. Also read about it in future issues of The Candidate Connection and on the ASPPA Web site at www.asppa.org.

DC-2 Special Topics Webinar

ASPPA has developed a trial webinar series to help candidates prepare for the Fall 2005 DC-2 examination. The webinars will be offered this fall as a test for future Web-based education and other e-learning programs. The series of four weekly webinars will be held on October 20, October 27, November 3 and November 10 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Eastern. Participants will interact with instructor Chuck Klose, FSPA, CPC via simultaneous conference call, and Web-based live presentation of the material.

Attendees will be expected to provide feedback and survey responses each week about the format and content of each webinar. In exchange for this valuable feedback, candidates can take advantage of a special $125 registration fee for this test series.

Please note: This fee is for the series of four (4) webinars. You cannot purchase them separately.

Chuck will cover some of the more challenging topics tested on the DC-2 examination, including:

• Correction of Failed ADP/ACP Tests
• Special ADP/ACP Testing Rules
• Safe Harbor 401(k) and SIMPLE 401(k) Plans
• Allocation Methods

Registration is limited to 15 participants, so register online today or download the registration form [PDF: 154K]. Registrants will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed information about accessing both the audio and Internet portions of the webinar.

Questions? E-mail the ASPPA Education Services Department at educasppa@asppa.org.

Web Courses

With the fall exam window just around the corner, and the September 30 early exam registration deadline looming, many candidates are beginning to prepare more intensely for ASPPA’s fall exams. In addition to study guides, required texts and suggested readings, ASPPA’s DB, DC-1, DC-2, C-3 and C-4 Web courses provide online training for candidates preparing to take these exams.

Once registered for a Web course, candidates receive access to the course via the ASPPA Web site. The courses are 100 to 120 minutes in length, and are divided into several sessions that address different topics pertaining to the exam material. The number of sessions per Web course varies from six to 11, and the pre-recorded segments can be viewed and listened to by a candidate based on his or her own study schedule.

The course topics mirror those covered in the exam materials; however, topics may not be in the exact order of the study guides. It is our goal to continue to provide education and exam preparation assistance. As always, the E&E Committee would greatly appreciate all input from candidates. Please direct your comments to Emily Guyton at 703.516.9300 or by e-mail to eguyton@asppa.org.

To register for an ASPPA Web course, or for more information, visit ASPPA’s Web site at www.asppa.org/edu/web_courses.htm .

Scheduling Your Exam Date with Prometric

Prometric appointment scheduling is now open for C-3, C-4, DB, DC-1, DC-2 and DC-3 examination candidates. Within approximately a week of registering for one of these exams, candidates will receive confirmation e-mails that will include information on scheduling exams through Prometric, the company that ASPPA uses to provide proctored exam sites. Please keep in mind that the most preferred spots do generally fill up quickly—particularly for the C-3 and C-4 examinations—so plan to make your appointment as soon as possible after receiving the e-mail from ASPPA.

ASPPA Announces Recipients of the 2005 Educator’s Award and the Martin Rosenberg Academic Achievement Award

ASPPA proudly recognizes Carol R. Sears, FSPA, CPC, as the recipient of the prestigious 2005 Educator’s Award. Carol was selected by the ASPPA Education and Examination Committee’s Chairs and Co-chairs in honor and recognition of her superior and dedicated commitment to education.

Carol is a principal and consulting actuary of Actuarial Consulting Group, Inc. (ACG), an employee benefits consulting firm with offices in Morton, IL and Quogue, NY. Carol served on ASPPA’s E&E Committee for 12 years, two of which as its General Chair. Carol served as President of ASPPA in 1999 and currently serves on our Board of Directors, Nominating Committee and two Government Affairs task forces dealing with phased retirement and women’s pension issues. Carol also serves on the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline and is a past member of the Advisory Committee to the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries. Carol is a frequent speaker at ASPPA and other conferences on actuarial, compliance and professionalism issues. Carol has also authored articles for The ASPPA Journal and the Journal of Pension Benefits.

Ella Aderhold, QPA, QKA, is the recipient of the Martin Rosenberg Academic Achievement Award for the summer 2004 Defined Benefit (DB) examination.

Ella has been with the Pension Service, Inc. in Connecticut for over five years. She serves as actuarial consultant and manager in the actuarial and consulting unit, where she is involved in all aspects of retirement planning, plan design, consulting and administration. Ella graduated form Louisiana State University with a BS in Mathematics.

The award is presented in honor of the late Martin Rosenberg, a Fellow of ASPPA. Mr. Rosenberg served as an Education and Examination Committee member from 1979 to 1985 and as E&E's General Chair from 1985 until his death in 1987. The award is designed to annually recognize top performing ASPPA examination candidates.

The 2005 Educator’s Award and the Martin Rosenberg Academic Achievement Award will be presented on Monday, November 7, 2005 at General Session 3 during the 2005 ASPPA Annual Conference. Congratulations to Carol and Ella!

ASPPA Welcomes New Staff

ASPPA recently welcomed two new employees in the Education Services Department. ASPPA’s new Director of Education Services, Catherine Diver, comes to us from the American Telemedicine Association, based in Washington, DC, where she served as director of administration & Web services for eight years.

Emily Guyton joined the staff in the role of Education Services Manager, and formerly served as education coordinator for the American Staffing Association. Catherine and Emily are excited to be part of the ASPPA team, and look forward to working with you all.

Education & Examination Calendar

A-4, C-3, C-4, DC-1, DC-2, DC-3, DB

September 30, 2005 Early registration deadline for fall exams

October 20, 2005 DC-2 Special Topics Webinar - Part 1

October 27, 2005 DC-2 Special Topics Webinar - Part 2

October 31, 2005 Final registration deadline for fall exams

November 1 – December 15, 2005 DB, DC-1, DC-2 and DC-3 fall exam window

November 3 , 2005 DC-2 Special Topics Webinar - Part 3

November 6 – November 9, 2005 ASPPA Annual Conference, Washington, DC

November 10 , 2005 DC-2 Special Topics Webinar - Part 4

November 11, 2005 Postponement deadline for A-4, C-3 and C-4 exams

November 16, 2005 A-4 and C-3 exams

November 17, 2005 C-4 exam

December 1, 2005 Postponement deadline for DB, DC-1, DC-2 and DC-3 fall exams

PA-1, PA-2, PA-3

December 15, 2005 Deadline for 2005 edition papers exams for PA-1, PA-2 and PA-3

December 31, 2005 Deadline for 2005 online exam submission for PA-1, PA-2 and PA-3 (Midnight, Eastern Standard Time)

*Please note that when a deadline date falls on a weekend, the official date shall be the first business day following the weekend.

Editorial Committee

Amy L. Cavanaugh, CPC, QPA, QKA 518.878.1356 |
Beverly E. McLeod, CPC 818.830.6100 |
Sharon L. Severson, CPC, QPA 608.232.6245

Associate Editors

Emily Guyton
Troy L. Cornett

Layout and Production

Chip Chabot
Jay Young Gerard