> ASPPA’s New Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) Exams to Replace Pension Administrator (PA) Exams in 2006
> PA Phase-Out
> 2006 Exam Registration Now Open
> Three New Textbooks Replace Study Guides for DC-1, DC-2 & DC-3
> E&E Online Web Store
> 2006 Education and Examination Committee Leadership
> Call for Nominations for 2006 Educators Award
> Spring EA Review Courses
> 2006 Webinars
> Education and Examination Calendar

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

ASPPA’s New Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) Exams to Replace Pension Administrator (PA) Exams in 2006

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

ASPPA has announced that the Pension Administrator exams (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.

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 will be 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.

PA Phase-Out

For candidates who are part-way through the PA exam certificate cycle, the dates for successful passage of the exams will be important.

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 Standard Time).

For candidates who have not started the PA exam series, we recommend that you begin with the RPF exams which are now available.

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: http://www.asppa.org/education/ed_faq.htm.

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 http://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.

2006 Exam Registration Now Open

ASPPA has opened exam registration for the 2006 spring and fall exam windows. To learn more about our exams, go to our Education and Examination Web page at http://www.asppa.org/education/ed_ed.htm or you can go directly to the online registration page at https://router.asppa.org/eseries/scriptcontent/custom/meetingsearch.cfm?MEETING_TYPE=EXAM. New exams in 2006 include Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF), the two basic building block tests that replace the PA certificate exams, and the two new Plan Financial Consulting (PFC) exams that represent the advance level curriculum for the new Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC) credential. Because this is the first exam cycle for the PFC exams, PFC-1 and PFC-2 exam candidates will receive their scores from the spring exam window by September 1, 2006. ASPPA’s other multiple-choice, proctored exams (DB, DC-1, DC-2, and DC-3) will continue to provide immediate score feedback to the candidate upon completion of the exam, and the grades from essay exams (C-3 and C-4) will be sent to candidates approximately 8 weeks following the exam. Remember to register early and contact Prometric to schedule your exam appointment after you receive your confirmation e-mail in March to guarantee a seat for the exam.

Three New Textbooks Replace Study Guides for DC-1, DC-2 & DC-3

ASPPA is publishing three new ERISA textbooks that will serve as primary study material for DC-1, 2 and 3 exam candidates. Written by Ilene H. Ferenczy, Esq., CPC, “The ASPPA Defined Contribution Plan Series" will include:

Defined Contribution Plans Volume 1: Plan Qualification and Compliance Basics Defined Contribution Plans Volume 2: 401(k) Plans and Intermediate Administration Topics

Defined Contribution Plans Volume 3: Advanced Compliance and Administration Topics

Each volume corresponds for DC exams 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Books are available for purchase through ASPPA’s online bookstore and are currently expected to be shipped to purchasers in February.

E&E Online Web Store

New for 2006! Now you can order all your examination publications online utilizing E&E’s new online bookstore. You can browse publications by exam, by an ASPPA credential or view all the publications ASPPA’s Education and Examination department has to offer. The new bookstore will be your one-stop shopping source for all your examination publications. You will still have the option to order books by phone, fax or by mail, but we are offering this new service as a convenience for you. Visit the bookstore today at http://store.asppa.org/ .

2006 Education and Examination Committee Leadership

The 2006 Education and Examination Committee will be led by the following individuals:

Bunny Wing Fernhall, Chief of Pension Education, APM, Co-chair

Susan J. Chambers, MAAA, FSPA, Co-chair

S. Tracy Braun, MSPA, Vice-chair

Bob Long, APM, Vice-chair

Kimberly B. Martin, CPC, QPA, Vice-chair

Sue Chambers and Bob Long were Vice-chairs in 2005, and Kim Martin and Tracy Braun have assumed new leadership responsibilities this year with the departure of Joan A. Gucciardi, MSPA, CPC, and Janice Wegesin, CPC, QPA, from leadership roles on the committee. ASPPA would like to thank our dedicated volunteers, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Technical Education Consultants (TECs) for their ongoing commitment to providing quality educational programs for retirement plan professionals. For a complete list of our Committee members, please visit: http://www.asppa.org/about/about_comm.htm#Anchor15.

Call for Nominations for 2006 Educators Award

The Education and Examination (E&E) Committee is seeking nominations for ASPPA’s Educators 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 http://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 be invited to attend an award presentation ceremony at the 2006 ASPPA Annual Conference. In addition to their Educators Award recognition plaque, the recipient will receive complimentary travel to the meeting, one night’s hotel accommodation, Annual Conference registration, and news coverage articles in The ASPPA Journal and The Candidate Connection.

Spring EA Review Courses

ASPPA is pleased to announce weekend review courses for the EA-1 and EA-2B examinations. The four-day EA-2B courses are scheduled for March 24-27, 2006 in Washington, DC; March 30-April 2 in Chicago, IL; and April 7-10 in Los Angeles, CA. The three-day EA-1 course is scheduled for April 3-5 in Chicago, IL. Early registration ends February 17, 2006.

The EA courses will be taught by David Farber, MSPA, EA, ASA. For more than 20 years, David has received excellent reviews for the EA preparatory and actuarial primer courses he teaches. David earned his BA in Mathematics from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1976, his California mathematics teaching credential from the University of California in Los Angeles in 1977, and has been an Enrolled Actuary since 1982.

David has been an Associate of the Society of Actuaries since 1980 and a member of ASPPA since 1985. He is a frequent speaker at ASPPA conferences and seminars, and served as ASPPA’s director of technical education from October 1995 to December 1996.

Each student enrolled in an ASPPA EA review course receives Web access to a set of handouts, including practice problems and solutions to be worked prior to the course. The syllabus, suggested readings and other information regarding the EA examinations are included in the program.

Course participants are expected to have completed 150 hours of study time in preparation for the course. Preparation coverage should include, but is not limited to, the materials listed on the EA-1 and EA-2B reading lists.

Tuition for EA-1 is $995 for early registration and $1045 for regular registration. Tuition for EA-2B is $1150 for early registration and $1200 for regular registration. Remember, early registration ends February 17, 2006.

Register online at http://www.asppa.org/education/ed_ea_course.htm.

2006 Webinars

Based on the very positive response to the beta test Webinar series on DC-2 Special Topics held in October and November 2005, we’re pleased to announce the development of several new Webinar series to help candidates prepare for examinations in 2006. More information about topics, instructors, dates and pricing will be available in the next issue of The Candidate Connection.

Education and Examination Calendar

Spring 2006

February 17, 2006 Early Registration Deadline for EA-1 and EA-2B Review Courses

March 24-27, 2006 EA-2B Review Course: Washington, DC

March 30-April 2, 2006 EA-2B Review Course: Chicago, IL

April 3-5, 2006 EA-1 Review Course: Chicago, IL

April 7-10, 2006 EA-2B Review Course: Los Angeles, CA

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 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 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.

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.

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