Institute for Pension Plan Management
Partners with ASPPA

Institute for Pension Plan Management at IPFW
ASPPA Training Needs Survey

Brian H. Graff, Esq., Executive Director/CEO of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA), announced that ASPPA’s highly regarded credentialing courses will become the foundation of the cutting edge curriculum at the Institute for Pension Plan Management at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).

This project, the first of its kind in North America, will provide education, specialized training and research for the retirement industry as a whole. Lincoln Financial Group, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance (the Alliance) and members of the ASPPA Benefits Council of Northern Indiana were instrumental in the creation of the Institute.

"Our collaboration, highlighting the strengths of all the organizations playing a part in this endeavor, will meet a current need within the marketplace for retirement plan education, job training and pension industry research. As the premier education resource for retirement plan professionals, ASPPA’s partnership with IPFW will provide new e-learning and specialized programs to complement our highly regarded credentialing programs. In addition to reaching those currently in the industry, this program expands our offerings to provide a clear academic path for those individuals wishing to pursue a career in the retirement field,” explained Graff.

Ongoing support for the IPFW Institute for Pension Plan Management will come from corporate sponsorship, training revenues and other grants. This revolutionary public-private partnership will allow collaboration and provide support towards a national effort to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of all retirement industry professionals.

All parties agree that the services to be provided by the IPFW Institute for Pension Plan Management will expand the e-delivery methods and resource availability for those working within the qualified retirement plan arena, as well as develop a talent pipeline for employers facing an increasing demand for employees who possess this knowledge.

ASPPA’s preeminent education program has been in place since 1985, and has bestowed more than 8,000 credentials to practicing retirement plan professionals since inception. “We are pleased this project has come to fruition and expect long term value for the industry as a result,” stated Graff.

ASPPA Training Needs Survey

The Institute will be providing classroom and distance learning courses that are aligned with ASPPA credentials. This partnership also allows ASPPA to expand education offerings to include basic education topical modules to meet the ever growing training needs within call centers, product sales and recordkeeping departments. ASPPA is currently gathering feedback on the most desired topics and encourages you to complete the training needs survey.

Note: For additional information about ASPPA and the Institute for Pension Plan Management at IPFW visit IPFW’s website or contact Kim L. Szatkowski, CPC, QPA, QKA, ASPPA’s Chief of Pension Education at 703-516-9300 x137 or via e-mail at kszatkowski@asppa.org.