DC-3 Examination Information

Defined Contribution Administrative Issues – Advanced Topics

> DC-3 Syllabus [PDF]
> DC-3 Course Overview
> 2009 Education and Examination (E&E) Program Changes (ERPA Designation Impact)
> Exam Requirements & Procedures
> Exam Registration & Fees
> Required Reading and Supplementary Study Tools
> Study Guide References & Errata
> Subject Matter
> Deadlines & Fees
> Grading Process
> Register online

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

Course Overview

This course is designed for those retirement plan professionals who want to learn more than just the basics about qualified plans. It not only goes into more depth on the basics of coverage and nondiscrimination but also covers a range of more advanced topics.

The course begins with leased employees and different types of business entities and moves to employer situations such as determining controlled groups and affiliated service groups.

Compensation is a key component of proper plan administration and here we identify different types of compensation as well as look at when a definition of compensation may be subject to additional nondiscrimination testing.

Advanced coverage topics like average benefit testing and plan aggregation are discussed with emphasis on how choices made in coverage testing affect nondiscrimination methodologies. A significant portion of the course involves advanced nondiscrimination testing techniques including general testing, identifying rate groups and the intricacies involved in the average benefit test.

An advanced retirement plan professional needs a basic understanding of employee stock ownership plans and how they may be different from other types of defined contribution plans.

In addition, this course covers fiduciary issues, including fiduciary responsibilities, standards and consequences of fiduciary breaches, prohibited transactions, advanced distribution issues and life insurance in plans.

Finally, candidates will learn about the ASPPA Code of Professional Conduct and be able to identify ethical dilemmas that may be faced by retirement plan professionals.

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.

Exam Requirements & Procedures

It is presumed that a candidate sitting for the DC-3 examination will have the knowledge of material covered in the Pension Administrator (PA) or Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) series, the DC-1 and DC-2 examinations. All required reading material is listed in each topic which can be found by downloading the syllabus. Candidates have two (2) hours to complete this 55 multiple choice examination. Candidates will receive a grade immediately upon completing the DC-3 exam at the testing center. 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. 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, registration forms accompanied by the early registration fee must reach the ASPPA office no later than April 17 for the spring examinations and September 19 for the fall examinations. To qualify for final registration, registration forms accompanied by the final registration fee must reach the ASPPA office no later than May 14 for the spring examinations and October 31 for the fall examinations. There is a non-refundable $199 early/$259 final registration fee per exam for members and a $225 early/$285 final fee per exam for nonmembers. For more information visit the Exam Schedule & Fees page.

Required Reading and Supplementary Study Tools

Unless noted all study materials can be ordered by downloading the Publications Order Form and following the instructions to phone, fax or mail your order form and payment. You can also order your publications using the ASPPA Bookstore.

Required Reading
Defined Contribution Plans Volume 3: Advanced Compliance and Administrative Topics, 2nd Edition.. Arlington, VA: ASPPA.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Leased Employees
Chapter 2: Other Employer Situations
Chapter 3: Controlled Groups and Affiliated Service Groups
Chapter 4: Compensation
Chapter 5: Average Benefit Test and Special Rules
Chapter 6: Nondiscrimination
Chapter 7: Employee Stock Ownership Plans
Chapter 8: Fiduciary Standards
Chapter 9: Prohibited Transactions
Chapter 10: Distributions and Life Insurance
Chapter 11: ASPPA Code of Professional Conduct

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

Supplementary Study Tools
The study tools below are not required preparation for the DC-3 examination. They are offered as additional study aids and require separate purchase and/or registration fees.

2007 DC-3 Practice Exam – available for $25 online through the online bookstore or download the publication order form. Please note this is the 2007 DC-2 practice examination; if you ordered the 2007 practice exam last year you do not need to reorder this practice exam.

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.

Subject Matter

The law and regulations that govern corporate and other employer entities, nondiscrimination and coverage testing, compensation, ESOPs, fiduciary standards, prohibited transactions, life insurance, and distribution issues in general, including:

• Controlled groups
• Affiliated service groups
• Other employer situations
• Compensation
• Average benefits test and other special rules
• Nondiscrimination
• Employee stock ownership plans
• Fiduciary standards
• Prohibited transactions
• Life insurance and distributions

Download and review the 2008 DC-3 syllabus for detailed information on topics covered on the exam, learning objectives, exam topic weightings, etc.

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American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries
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