The TPSU training and curriculum is both informative and robust, covering the most essential topics of importance pertaining to improved retirement plan stewardship for business owners, benefits specialists and other employer fiduciaries.

Each C(k)PF Designation Candidate is required to attend a half-day Virtual TPSU certification training program conducted by a certified instructor.

Additionally, each C(k)PF Designation Candidate must complete the required online courses housed on the TPSU Learning Management System, and pass an online proctored examination to earn the C(k)PF designation.

Core areas of study during the on-site certification training program will include:

• Improving participant outcomes;
• Understanding the roles of advisors and service providers;
• Navigating the regulatory environment and meeting DOL requirements;
• Limiting fiduciary liability; Effective retirement plan management;
• Plan funding;
• Making plan improvements while minimizing costs;
• Investment selection, monitoring and running an investment committee.

List of Online Courses:

• TC-122 Mutual Fund Fees & Expenses
• TC-126 Target-Date Funds
• TC-110 Fundamentals of Defined Contribution Plans
• TC-111 Historical Perspective: Profit Sharing Reform & Emergence of the 401(k) Plan
• TC-100 ERISA: A Historical Perspective Online Course
• TC-115 Fundamentals of 401k Plans - Part 1
• TC-116 Fundamentals of 401k Plans - Part 2
• TC-114 DC Plan Design Fundamentals
• TC-124 Investment Fees & Expenses
• TC-121 How Parties In A Defined Contribution Plan Are Paid
• TC-213 Fundamentals of DB Plans
• OP-239 Plan Health & Retirement Readiness
• OP-200 Understanding Investor Behavior-Behavioral Finance

Example Half-Day Educational Program Agenda

Adults do not learn by listening passively; they learn through active participation with peers led by knowledgeable instructors. At TRAU, we bring together plan advisors, wholesalers and senior executives from DC record keepers, investment firms and broker dealers facilitated by UCLA business school professors and leading industry experts to create a unique and interactive learning experience that enrollees can use to improve their practices. The three–day, interpersonal learning experience developed at TRAU sessions and conducted at UCLA leverages this phenomenon and has produced incredible results.

TPSU’s Virtual education experience is intended to produce the same results for plan sponsors with program conducted by an Adjunct Lecturer with the support and participation of industry providers. While agendas and supporters will be preapproved, delivery and content may vary. Below is a template for a successful TPSU sponsor certification program.

8:30 - 8:50 Introduction to The Plan Sponsor University

8:30 - 9:30 Session 1 – Plan Challenges Led by a trained and certified TPSU Adjunct Lecturer, this session outlines one or more of the problems facing plan sponsors with some insights on how the Lecturer is helping current clients solve them. It is appropriate and encouraged for the Lecturer to use real-life examples and review their qualifications. (Four to six one-hour presentations will be made available for use by the Lecturer who is encouraged to use their own after review by TPSU.)

9:30 - 9:45 Break

9:45 - 10:30 Session 2 – Industry Best Practices will be presented and discussed by industry leading representatives from America’s largest and most prestigious institutions.

10:30 - 11:15 Session 3 – In this provider panel moderated by the Adjunct Lecturer, representatives from two, three or four provider partners supporting the session will review the issues that their advisor clients help their clients with and highlight some of the solutions they provide. (Minimum two provider reps but no more than four.)

11:15 - 11:25 – Break

11:25 - 11:50 Session 4 – The Ideal Plan – Interactive Discussion – Industry thought-leaders will explain in detail how the best practices are being incorporated into qualified retirement plans.

Problem resolution can be addressed by the Adjunct Lecturer or industry professionals. The group will review the major issues uncovered during the day and will discuss the best approaches to solve them. Some example topics are:

• Complying with rules and regulations
• Managing fiduciary responsibilities
• Running plans more efficiently and managing cost
• Service provider selection and management
• Investment selection and running a committee
• Improving participant outcomes

11:50 - 12:00 – Closing remarks