C-4 Examination Information

Advanced Retirement Plan Consulting

> C-4 Syllabus [PDF]
> C-4 Course Overview
> 2009 Education and Examination (E&E) Program Changes (ERPA Designation Impact)
> Subject Matter
> Exam Requirements & Procedures
> Exam Registration & Fees
> Required & Suggested Reading
> Study Guide References & Errata
> Deadlines & Fees
> Grading Process
> Register online

Related Links : Register for Exams : Candidate Corner : Study Guide References print page

Course Overview

As the culminating course and examination for the Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) designation, the C-4 course is intended as an opportunity for a successful candidate to demonstrate an ability to draw from his or her accumulated retirement plan knowledge and experience toward analyzing and solving consulting problems that might be encountered in real-life client situations. In professional practice, more than one statutory provision or retirement plan consideration often applies, and the pension consultant must be able to recognize and evaluate in depth each potential issue for his or her client. The C-4 course explores in detail certain advanced areas of retirement plan design and compliance in a review of some of the more complex tools available to a proficient plan consultant. These advanced topics include common control, coverage and nondiscrimination, 401(k) plans, defined benefit plans, plan design, IRS correction programs, employee stock ownership plans, governmental and tax-exempt plans, and nonqualified plans.

Additionally, because ASPPA members are required to comply with ASPPA’s Code of Professional Conduct, the topic of ethical performance in one’s professional capacity forms part of the C-4 course of study.

2009 Education and Examination (E&E) Program Changes (ERPA Designation Impact)

Please refer to the 2009 Education and Examination (E&E) Program Changes webpage for information on the new and exciting enhancements to ASPPA’s educational programs.

Subject Matter

Advanced pension consulting topics, including:

Core Topics:

• Common control/affiliated service groups/leased employees
• 401(a)(4) nondiscrimination and 410(b) coverage
• 401(k) plans
• Defined benefit plans
• Plan design
• IRS correction programs and ethics

Non-core Topics:

• ESOPs
• 403(b) plans
• Nonqualified plans

The candidate will be asked to analyze and solve specific problems that might be encountered in practice. The candidate will also be expected to draw from his or her own experiences and knowledge gained from the required readings in answering some questions.

The examination will consist of eight questions covering six core and two non-core topics. Only two of the three non-core topics will be on the examination. The candidate will answer all six core questions and select and answer one of the two non-core questions.

Download and review the 2008 C-4 syllabus for detailed information on topics covered on the exam, learning objectives, exam topic weightings, etc.

Exam Requirements & Procedures

It is presumed that a candidate sitting for the C-4 examination will have the knowledge of materials covered in the following examinations: Pension Administrator (PA) or Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) series, Defined Contribution (DC) series, Administrative Issues of Defined Benefit Plans (DB), and Financial and Fiduciary Aspects of Qualified Plans (C-3). All required and suggested reading material is listed in each topic which can be found by downloading the syllabus.

The 2008 C-4 exam will be held on one day during the Fall exam window, on November 13, 2008. The exam will consist of eight essay questions covering six core and two non-core topics. The C-4 syllabus includes three non-core topics, but only two of the three non-core topics will be on the examination. The candidate will be required to answer all six core questions and to select and answer one of the two non-core questions. Thus, the candidate will be required to answer seven questions in total. No additional credit is granted for answering more than one non-core question. Candidates have a 4 hour period to complete the examination.

C-4 examination results will be mailed to candidates approximately 8-10 weeks after the examination date. A list of passing candidates, identified by ASPPA ID number, will be posted on the ASPPA website (www.asppa.org) just prior to the release of the hardcopies of the examination results are mailed. The use of a calculator will be permitted if it conforms to the required specifications.

Exam Registration & Fees

It is the candidate’s responsibility to review all of ASPPA’s exam policies and procedures which can be found in the ASPPA Program Catalog or on Candidate Corner. You will also find additional helpful information such as test taking tips, directions for contacting your nearest Prometric testing site to schedule examinations, exam windows and dates and much more.

Exam Registration - Register online or download the Exam Registration Form and follow the directions on the form to fax or mail your registration. Confirmation e-mails will be sent to candidates beginning approximately eight weeks prior to the opening of an exam window. Once you receive your confirmation e-mail from ASPPA, you will need to contact Prometric to schedule your proctored exam appointment. Detailed instructions on scheduling your appointment will be included in the confirmation e-mail. Exams are given at Prometric Testing Centers. The 2008 C-4 exam will be held on one day during the Fall exam window, on November 13, 2008. It is the candidate’s responsibility to schedule an exam. We strongly recommend you schedule an appointment upon receipt of the confirmation letter as testing centers fill up quickly. To find a Prometric Testing Center visit http://www.2test.com.

Exam Fees - To qualify for early registration, the registration form accompanied by the early registration fee must reach the ASPPA office no later than September 19 for the fall examination. To qualify for final registration, the registration form accompanied by the final registration fee must reach the ASPPA office no later than October 31 for the fall examination. For the C-4 exam, there is a non-refundable $275 early/$335 final registration fee per exam for members and a $305 early/$370 final fee per exam for nonmembers. For more information visit the Exam Schedule & Fees page.

Required & Suggested Reading

Required Reading
C-4 Study Guide: Advanced Retirement Plan Consulting, 2008 Edition, Arlington, VA: ASPPA. The study guide includes the ASPPA Code of Professional Conduct.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Common Control and Related Issues (Core)
Chapter 2: Coverage and Nondiscrimination Issues (Core)
Chapter 3: 401(k) Plans (Core)
Chapter 4: Defined Benefit Plans (Core)
Chapter 5: Plan Design (Core)
Chapter 6: Correction Programs and Ethics (Core)
Chapter 7: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) (Non-Core)
Chapter 8: Governmental and Tax-Exempt Plans (Non-Core)
Chapter 9: Nonqualified Plans (Non-Core)
May 2006 C-4 Examination and Sample Answers

To order these publications, visit our online bookstore or download the publication order form. Please refer to the 2008 Publications Order Form for publication listings and prices.

Suggested Reading
401(k) Answer Book, by EMJAY Corporation, a Wells Fargo Company. New York, NY: Panel Publishers, Inc.

How The ESOP Really Works, The ESOP Association, Washington, D.C.

403(b) Answer Book, by Donald R. Levy, Barbara A. Seymon-Hirsch, Esq., and Janet M. Anderson, Esq., New York, NY: Panel Publishers, Inc.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Answer Book, by Henry A. Smith, III JD, MLA, Barry K. Downey, Esq. JD, MLA, Michael P. Connors, Esq. JD., New York, NY: Panel Publishers, Inc.

It should be noted that these materials do not constitute the only items available to prepare for the examination. The materials cited are evaluated by the members of ASPPA’s Education and Examination Committee for the purpose of increasing the candidate’s understanding of the various concepts presented. These readings do not reflect any official interpretation, opinion, or endorsement of ASPPA or its Education and Examination Committee.

Study Guide References & Errata

For updates to ASPPA’s publications and examinations please visit: http://www.asppa.org/education/ed_study_guide_updates.htm. Please stop by regularly as new updates are posted.

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