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aspa.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of ASPPA?
ASPPA was established to educate retirement plan professionals and serve as an industry voice.

Who are ASPPA’s members?
ASPPA members are retirement plan professionals who view retirement plan work as a career. Members include plan consultants, third party administrators, accountants, attorneys, insurance agents, recordkeepers, human resource professionals, trustees, brokers, investment managers, sales and marketing professionals, actuaries, and benefits professionals also employed in banks, insurance companies, retirement planning software firms, and educational institutions.

What are the benefits of ASPPA membership?
In addition to the professional recognition that ASPPA’s credentialed members receive, ASPPA membership provides the following benefits: advocacy, education, information, networking and discounts.

Do I have to be an ASPPA member in order to take the exams?
No. Anyone with an interest in the retirement plan field can become an affiliate member of ASPPA. Affiliate members simply complete a membership application and submit membership dues. Affiliates receive the same tangible benefits as members, including discounts on exams, but do not have voting rights and do not receive the professional recognition that accompanies an ASPPA credential.

How do I become a member of ASPPA?
ASPPA has two types of membership: affiliate and credentialed. Those interested in affiliate membership must complete a membership application and submit membership dues. To become a credentialed ASPPA member, applicants must successfully complete a series of examinations. Credentialed membership also requires two professional recommendations and two or three years of appropriate experience in the retirement field. APM’s (Associated Professional Members) are also considered credentialed members, but are not required to take any ASPPA exams. They are required to provide two letters of recommendation and have three years of pension related experience. The following professionals are eligible for ASPPA’s APM credential: Attorneys, CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and those with a MSFS, CLU, ChFC, MAAA, ACCA, MCCA, FCCA, ASA, FSA, CFP, FLMI, or APA. All ASPPA members are subject to our Code of Professional Conduct and are required to acknowledge that they have read the code at the time of application.

How much does ASPPA membership cost?
Affiliate membership is $404 per year. July 1-October 31, Affiliate membership is prorated to $202 for membership through the end of the year. Credentialed membership is $474 per year. July 1-October 31, Credentialed membership is prorated to $237 for membership through the end year.

Does ASPPA have corporate membership?
No. Only individuals can be members of ASPPA.

Does ASPPA offer a corporate dues discount?
Yes. If a company has more than one employee who is a credentialed member of ASPPA, the first credentialed member pays full price, the second credentialed member receives a $119 discount, and the third credentialed member and everyone thereafter receives a $190 discount on membership dues. The corporate discount only applies to those paying for a full year of dues. Affiliate members are not eligible for the corporate discount.

Does ASPPA offer any special membership dues rates?
ASPPA offers a discounted membership dues rate of $50 to those who qualify for government and/or retired status. Those who are employed by the government are eligible for the government employee status. Those who are actively employed less than 500 hours per year and are at least 60 years of age are eligible for retired status.

What do I do once I successfully complete the exams needed for an ASPPA designation?
Non-members applying for a first credential must complete a credentialed membership application along with two letters of recommendation and the applicable dues payment. Affiliate members applying for a first credential or a credentialed member applying for an additional credential must complete a membership upgrade/addition application and pay a $50 upgrade fee. Those applying for a first credential must submit two letters of recommendation. Those applying for an additional credential may or may not be required to submit letters depending on the credential for which they are applying. Current members of ASPPA adding an additional credential(s) must pay a $50 upgrade fee.

Do my ASPPA exams ever expire?
Yes. According to ASPPA’s sunset provision, exams expire eight and a half years after the date they were taken, unless the applicant already has an ASPPA credential. Once a credential is awarded, subsequent exams never expire. However, if candidates do not have a credential and one or several exams have expired, applicants do not necessarily need to retake the exams. Candidates can receive automatic credit for expired exams by submitting a Continuing Education Reporting Form along with an application for credentialed membership. The reporting form must show that the applicant has acquired 40 continuing education credits within the 24 months prior to submitting the application.

Does ASPPA have any continuing education requirements?
All credentialed members are subject to ASPPA’s Continuing Education (CE) requirements and must complete 40 CE credits by the end of every two-year cycle in order to maintain their credentials.

What is the ASPPA asap?
The ASPPA asap is an e-mail or fax news service that provides vital and timely updates on breaking legislative and regulatory developments critical to those in the retirement plan field. Specifically, the updates include information about ASPPA’s responses to government activities, regulatory developments, and proposed pension legislation. The ASPPA asap is available to ASPPA members free-of-charge via e-mail and is available via facsimile at a 75 % discount off the non-member discount rate.