> Spring 2006 Exam Registration Deadline Is Near
> 2006 Spring Webinar Series
> Reminder: ASPPA’s Pension Administrator (PA) Exams to be Phased out in June 2006
> Five Easy Steps to Get Started on ASPPA’s Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) Credential
> The ERISA Outline Book – 2006 Edition
> Candidate Corner
> ASPPA Hosts New Advanced Actuarial Conference in June
> Call for Nominations for 2006 Educator's Award
> Education and Examination Calendar

> Download Candidate Connection as PDF [PDF: 201K]

Spring 2006 Exam Registration Deadline Is Near

Don’t forget to register early to take advantage of discounted early registration fees. The early registration deadline for spring 2006 proctored examinations (C-3, C-4, DB, DC-1, DC-2, DC-3, PFC-1 and PFC-2) is April 14. The final registration deadline is May 14. To learn more about ASPPA exams, and to register online, visit the Education and Exams page of the ASPPA Web site at www.asppa.org/education/ed_ed.htm. Order your study materials and textbooks from ASPPA’s new online bookstore at http://store.asppa.org.

Prometric appointment scheduling is now open for C-3, C-4, DB, DC-1, DC-2, DC-3, PFC-1 and PFC-2 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.

2006 Spring Webinar Series

Need a little extra help preparing for those spring examinations? Why not take part in one of ASPPA’s spring Webinar series designed to help candidates prepare for the DC-1, DC-2, DC-3 and PFC-1 examinations. The Webinar series consist of 4-10 online classes that allow students to interact with an instructor via simultaneous conference call and Web-based live presentation of the material.

Registration is still open for the DC-3 Webinar series. Registration is limited to 32 participants per Webinar series, so register today! All you need to do is complete the registration form or register online. Registrants will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed information about accessing both the audio and Internet portions of the Webinar. Please see the list below of Webinars being offered for the spring. Visit www.asppa.org for more information.

DC-1 2006 Spring Webinar:
Dates: Every Tuesday, March 28 – Tuesday, May 30
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Cost: $595 for ten sessions
Instructor: Chuck Klose, FSPA, CPC
Registration deadline: March 23 (registration closed)

DC-2 2006 Spring Webinar:
Dates: Every Thursday, April 6 – Thursday, April 27
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Cost: $275 for four sessions
Instructor: Chuck Klose, FSPA, CPC
Registration deadline: March 30 (registration closed)

DC-3 2006 Spring Webinar:
Dates: Every Tuesday, April 18 – Tuesday, May 9
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Cost: $275 for four sessions
Instructor: Sonya Wright, QKA, CFP, RPA
Registration deadline: April 11

PFC-1 2006 Spring Webinar:
Dates: Every Thursday, April 13 – May 4
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Cost: $275 for four sessions
Instructor: Patrick Rieck, QKA, QPA
Registration deadline: April 6 (registration closed)

Reminder: ASPPA’s Pension Administrator (PA) Exams to be Phased out in June 2006

ASPPA’s Pension Administrator examinations (PA-1, 2 and 3) will be phased out in 2006 and replaced by two new Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF-1 and 2) exams. The RPF examinations will serve as the foundation for most ASPPA credentials.

PA Phase-Out

The PA exams will be phased out on July 1, 2006. Any candidate who has taken one or two PA exams will have until June 30, 2006 to complete the remaining exams. If all three PA exams are not completed by June 30, 2006, the candidate will be required to take both of the RPF exams to satisfy the basic requirements for the Retirement Plan Fundamentals certificate program. The PA online registration and publication order form can be found at www.asppa.org.

There are two ways to submit PA exams: paper submission and online submission. Paper exams must be received (not postmarked) by June 15, 2006, and require a $110 grading fee. Online exam submission is available at www.asppa.org. Exams taken online require an $85 grading fee which includes instant scoring and feedback. The deadline for online submission is June 30, 2006 (Midnight, Eastern Time).

ASPPA has developed a frequently asked questions page that provides specific answers about the PA phase-out and more information on the RPF exams. Please go to: www.asppa.org/education/ed_faq.htm.

This new RPF program brings ASPPA’s introductory courses up-to-date with the latest industry information and standards and introduces new topics that are essential to today’s retirement practitioner. RPF study material is presented in a logical fashion, aiding learning comprehension and knowledge retention, in accord with the high educational standard for which ASPPA is known.

RPF-1 and RPF-2 self-study materials and exams are available in electronic format only. You can order the study materials through ASPPA’s online bookstore at http://store.asppa.org. Once you place your order and your payment has been verified, you will receive an e-mail with a link to download a PDF version of the study guide(s). RPF exams will be exclusively available electronically and results will be immediately available to candidates. There will not be any paper exam grading for the RPF exams.

To register, or for more information about topics, learning objectives, procedures and requirements for the RPF exams, go to the Education and Examination Web pages at www.asppa.org/education/ed_rpf_info.htm. Any questions can be directed to the Education Services Department at educasppa@asppa.org.

Register today to complete your PA series or register for the new RPF exams at www.asppa.org.

Five Easy Steps to Get Started on ASPPA’s Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) Credential

QPFC is here! The official launch of QPFC took place at the recent 2006 The 401(k) SUMMIT in Orlando. If you missed the conference, you can view a short video about QPFC at http://www.asppa.org/qpfc/qpfcvideo.htm. Registration for examinations is open, and with over 1,800 prospects and a recent mention in The Wall Street Journal, QPFC is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after professional credentials in the retirement plan industry. Don’t miss your opportunity to become one of the first individuals to earn the QPFC credential. For complete syllabi, requirements and procedures, visit ASPPA’s Web site at www.asppa.org/education/ed_ed.htm, or follow the steps below to sign up today!

The QPFC credential requires successful completion of four examinations:

• Retirement Plan Fundamentals 1 & 2 (RPF-1 & RPF-2)
• Plan Financial Consulting 1 & 2 (PFC-1 & PFC-2)

Candidates who have already passed ASPPA’s Pension Administrator exams, Parts 1-3 (PA-1, PA-2, PA-3) will be exempt from taking the RPF examinations. Candidates who have ASPPA’s CPC, QKA, MSPA or FSPA credentials or NIPA’s APA or APR credentials are eligible to waive RPF-1 for the purpose of attaining QPFC or other ASPPA credentials. If you are unsure if you completed the PA exam series, please e-mail educasppa@asppa.org.

How to Get Started?

Create an account with ASPPA.

If you do not have an account set up with ASPPA please visit https://router.asppa.org/eseries/scriptcontent/index_create.cfm. Once you have created an account you will be able to register for examinations. You do not need to be a member of ASPPA to take an ASPPA examination.

Register for RPF examinations.

The RPF exams are open-book non-proctored exams (more information on the study guides needed is listed below under Step 4). The registration fee for each RPF exam (RPF-1, RPF-2) is $140. To register for the RPF examinations, please visit www.asppa.org/exam. Once you pay online, you will have access to the exam(s) within your online account. To take the exam, log in using your ID and password (these are generated when you set up an account). You may exit and return to the exam at a later date, but exams must be completed by December 31, 2006 (Midnight, EST). Please note that there are two versions of each of the RPF exams (example: RPF-1 version 1 and RPF-1 version 2). If you fail one version, you may register and pay to take the second version.

Register for PFC examinations.

The PFC exams are proctored exams that are available during two exam windows each year: May 15-June 30 (Spring 2006 exam window) and November 1-December 15 (Fall 2006 exam window). To register for the PFC examinations, please visit https://router.asppa.org/eseries. After you register for the exam, approximately six to eight weeks prior to the beginning of the exam cycle, you will receive an “eligibility” confirmation e-mail directing you to schedule an appointment at a Prometric testing center. It is the candidate’s responsibility to schedule his or her appointment with Prometric to take the exam. The PFC-1 and PFC-2 exam registration fees vary from $185 to $260 depending on early/regular registration and member/nonmember pricing. Because these are new examinations, statistics on the examination results must be reviewed before the grades are released. Grades will be mailed to candidates by September 1 for the spring exam window. ASPPA does not release grades by phone or fax.

Order study materials.

You can order study materials online utilizing the new E&E bookstore at http://store.asppa.org. You can also use the 2006 ASPPA Publication Order Form to order by phone, fax or mail. The order form can be found online at www.asppa.org/resources/res_pubs.htm. Publications to order:

RPF-1 & RPF-2 examination study materials

[These study materials are only available electronically as PDF documents. Once your order has been placed and processed (approx 2-3 business days if paying online with a credit card) then you will receive an e-mail with login information to download the RPF study guide(s)]:

• RPF-1 Exam: Retirement Plan Fundamentals Part 1 – Web-based Study Guide, 2006 ed. $149
• RPF-2 Exam: Retirement Plan Fundamentals Part 2 – Web-based Study Guide, 2006 ed. $149

OR ORDER THE SET at a discount: Retirement Plan Fundamentals Set $290

PFC-1 & PFC-2 examination study materials

• PFC-1 & 2 Exams: Financial Professional’s Guide to Qualified Retirement Plans, 4th ed. $249 (this is the required reading for both examinations).
• PFC-2 Exam: PFC-2 Supplemental Readings $179

Apply for the QPFC credential and ASPPA membership!

After you have completed the required examinations and have met the requirements for the QPFC credential, you can apply for ASPPA’s QPFC credential. By having the QPFC credential, you are now a credentialed member of ASPPA. The cost of a credentialed membership is $440 per year. Download the ASPPA credential form at www.asppa.org/credentials/cred_apply.htm and submit with payment and required letters of reference. Once you are awarded the credential from the ASPPA Board of Directors, you will need to maintain 40 hours of ASPPA CE credit for every two-year period. If you currently are an ASPPA credentialed member, you can add an additional credential by downloading the ASPPA Credential Addition or Upgrade form at www.asppa.org/credentials/cred_apply.htm.

The ERISA Outline Book – 2006 Edition

If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to make room on your bookshelf for the 2006 edition of The ERISA Outline Book by Sal L. Tripodi, APM, J.D., LL.M. This year’s edition features the addition of a fifth volume, and the reference tool is a must-have for all retirement plan professionals’ libraries. The contents are available in the traditional book format or on a fully searchable CD-ROM. Companies with multiple users should consider purchasing a network license for up to 20 concurrent users. Order your copy today through our online bookstore at http://store.asppa.org.

Candidate Corner

If you’re preparing for an ASPPA exam, please visit ASPPA’s new Candidate Corner at http://www.asppa.org/education/ed_ee_cc.htm for the latest updates to errata for study materials, test taking tips and other resources to help you prepare for your examination.

ASPPA Hosts New Advanced Actuarial Conference in June

The Advanced Actuarial Conference is designed especially for actuaries who hold a senior position within their company. This conference is solely focused on pension actuaries and their unique and specialized issues. Roundtable leaders are experts in their fields - drawn from the actuarial, legal and accounting professions. The conference is comprised of roundtable discussions that will allow participants to engage their peers in discussion. Register before May 5 to take advantage of early registration discounts. For more information, visit www.asppa.org/archive/conf/2006/2006act.htm.

Call for Nominations for 2006 Educator's Award

The Education and Examination (E&E) Committee is seeking nominations for ASPPA's Educator's Award to recognize and honor outstanding educators.

If you know an ASPPA member who has made a significant contribution to pension education (e.g., through instruction, conferences, ASPPA Benefit Councils, promotion of ASPPA's education program or preparation of education materials), please visit www.asppa.org/forms/ene-nom.htm and submit your nomination by July 1, 2006. Please include a few paragraphs in support of your nomination, including nominee background information.

The recipient of the award will receive a plaque in recognition of his or her achievement, complimentary registration and travel to the 2006 ASPPA Annual Conference to attend the award presentation, one night's accommodation and feature articles in The ASPPA Journal and The Candidate Connection.

Past Educator Award Winners:
Carol R. Sears, FSPA, CPC, in 2005; Lawrence Starr, CPC, in 2004; Gwen S. O'Connell, CPC, QPA, in 2003; Joan A. Gucciardi, MSPA, CPC, in 2002; Sal L. Tripodi, APM, in 2001; Cheryl L. Morgan, CPC, in 2000; David B. Farber, MSPA, in

1999; Janice M. Wegesin, CPC, QPA, in 1998; Charles J. Klose, FSPA, CPC, in 1997.

Education and Examination Calendar

Spring 2006

April 14, 2006 Early registration deadline for spring examinations

May 14, 2006 Regular registration deadline for spring examinations

May 15 – June 30, 2006 DB, DC-1, DC-2, DC-3, PFC-1 and PFC-2 spring examination window

May 19, 2006 Postponement deadline for C-3 and C-4 examinations*

May 23, 2006 C-3 examinations

May 24, 2006 C-4 examinations

June 15, 2006 Deadline for all paper examinations for PA-1, PA-2 and PA-3*

June 16, 2006 Postponement deadline for DC-1, DC-2, DC-3, DB, PFC-1 and PFC-2 spring examinations*

June 30, 2006 Deadline for all online examinations for PA-1, PA-2 and PA-3*

Fall 2006

September 30, 2006 Early registration deadline for fall examinations

October 31, 2006 Regular registration deadline for fall examinations

November 1 – December 15, 2006 DB, DC-1, DC-2, DC-3, PFC-1 and PFC-2 fall examination window

November 10, 2006 Postponement deadline for C-3, C-4 and A-4 examinations*

November 15, 2006 C-3 examinations

November 15, 2006 A-4 examinations

November 16, 2006 C-4 examinations

December 1, 2006 Postponement deadline for DC-1, DC-2, DC-3, DB, PFC-1 and PFC-2 fall examinations*

December 31, 2006 Deadline for completing RPF-1 and RPF-2 online examinations (Midnight, Eastern Time)*

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

For more information, please contact the ASPPA office at 703.516.9300.
Note: Exam deadlines are final. Registration and payment must be in the ASPPA office by the deadline dates.

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Emily Guyton
Troy L. Cornett

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