Wednesday, September 27, 2023
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CST

Many things changed in 2022, but we can still count a few guiding principles in the retirement plan business as we go into the 2023 selling season. One thing we can assert, many business owners and highly paid entrepreneurs are still looking for ways to lower their tax burdens.

In fact, tax-saving strategies may be more important than ever before. At the same time, offering the most attractive benefits packages to the most valued employees gains greater significance as employers navigate the SECURE Act.

That’s why now is the best time to start — or expand — your Cash Balance Plan business. Cash Balance Plans continue to be the fastest-growing segment of the retirement plans market, in part because they:

• Allow for substantially larger tax-deductible contributions versus other plans.
• Help business owners attract and retain top talent.
• Are both cost- and tax-efficient.
• Allow for varying contribution levels.
• Can be added to another qualified plan.
• Why Cash Balance Plans are so popular — especially now.
• How to identify qualifying candidates.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine small business owner goals and questions
• Become familiar with plan alternatives and design options
• Understand cash balance plans and how they work at a high level
• Consider business income issues
• Coordinate the right team members for decision

To receive CE credit, you must remain logged into the video portion of the webinar for the entire program.  Logging into the audio portion only is not sufficient for CE credit. There will also be time for questions and answers. You won’t want to miss this webinar. Please check your system requirements by clicking here.

Register Today

We are offering CE credits only for the following designations:

• CPE.
• Investments & Wealth Institute® has accepted “Demand Stays Strong for Cash Balance Plans” for 1 hour of CE credit towards the CIMA®,CPWA®, CIMC®, and RMA® certifications.
• CFP Board has accepted “Demand Stays Strong for Cash Balance Plans” for 1 hour of CE credit towards the CFP®  designation.
• This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.

If you’d like to increase access to new client relationships, identify new sales opportunities and win new business. Register today!

Wednesday, October 25, 2023
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CST

This course gives you a broad overview of Social Security and helps you understand taxation, working while receiving benefits, divorce, and WEP/GPO, withdrawing application, executing a Social Security Planning Strategy.

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding of the various types of social security benefits
• Awareness of how the program operates and its funding
• Understanding the taxation rules of social security benefit
• Knowledge of benefit eligibility and calculation

To receive CE credit, you must remain logged into the video portion of the webinar for the entire program.  Logging into the audio portion only is not sufficient for CE credit. There will also be time for questions and answers. You won’t want to miss this webinar. Please check your system requirements by clicking here.

Register Today

We are offering CE credits only for the following designations:

• CPE.
• Investments & Wealth Institute® has accepted “Social Security and You” for 1 hour of CE credit towards the CIMA®,CPWA®, CIMC®, and RMA® certifications.
• CFP Board has accepted “Social Security and You” for 1 hour of CE credit towards the CFP®  designation.
• This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.

If you’d like to increase access to new client relationships, identify new sales opportunities and win new business. Register today!

Wednesday, November 29, 2023
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CST

Our goal is to help you identify surprises and hidden elements of Medicare that are often overlooked as well as help you avoid the traps and pitfalls that come with Medicare.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore an overview and origin of Medicare
• Understand eligibility and coverage
• Discuss the costs of the various parts of Medicare
• Identify additional coverage choices
• Strategize the planning and coordination of benefits

To receive CE credit, you must remain logged into the video portion of the webinar for the entire program.  Logging into the audio portion only is not sufficient for CE credit. There will also be time for questions and answers. You won’t want to miss this webinar. Please check your system requirements by clicking here.

Register Today

We are offering CE credits only for the following designations:

• CPE.
• Investments & Wealth Institute® has accepted “Medicare: Understanding and Navigating the Planning Process” for 1 hour of CE credit towards the CIMA®,CPWA®, CIMC®, and RMA® certifications.
• CFP Board has accepted “Medicare: Understanding and Navigating the Planning Process” for 1 hour of CE credit towards the CFP®  designation.
• This program is valid for 1 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.

If you’d like to increase access to new client relationships, identify new sales opportunities and win new business. Register today!

The investment policy statement (IPS) is not a static document. Changes in the macroeconomic, inflationary, and regulatory environments call for an ongoing reevaluation of any IPS and prudent plan officials seek to incorporate these changes on a timely basis.

Therefore, with a myriad of changes to consider given today’s investment and regulatory environment, and the rapidly developing world of investment products and portfolios, DC investment fiduciaries are taking a fresh look at their overall IPS approach and process. In doing so, many DC sponsors and fiduciaries are recognizing that many IPSs are out of date. An outdated IPS can create gaps in the overall risk management strategy.

In this presentation, we review the history and purpose of an IPS in DC plans. We also look at some changing trends, regulations, and market conditions that might impact traditional IPS language. Then we dive deeper in to some potential IPS gaps and problems plan committees can address with timely IPS amendments and updates. Lastly, we explore managed accounts and their unique evaluation and monitoring challenges within the IPS.

Learning Objectives:

• Create a general understanding of the history and purpose of defined contribution (DC) investment policy statements (IPS).
• Realization of how changing trends, regulations and market conditions might impact IPS language.
• Updating managed account language and processes within the IPS.
• Consideration of pending changes and the need for timely IPS amendments.

Watch Today

ERISA entrusts the care of retirement benefits and the proper operation of retirement plans to “fiduciaries” of the plans, such as the business owners who sponsor them. Fiduciaries who fail can face penalties and personal liability for plan losses. Watch this course to understand fiduciary responsibilities and liabilities, how to identify the different types of plan fiduciaries, and implement fiduciary liability reduction strategies and tactics.

Learning Objectives:

• List the four key responsibilities of plan fiduciaries.
• Learn how to identify plan fiduciaries.
• Understand the potential consequences of a fiduciary failure.
• List fiduciary liability reduction strategies and tactics.
• Differentiate between the two Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary correction programs.

Watch Today

Are your Illinois-based business clients ready for the state’s retirement plan mandate?

The statewide mandate of Illinois Secure Choice requires most employers to either enroll in the one-size-fits-all Illinois Secure Choice program or sponsor their own customized qualified plan.

It’s time to help your Illinois business clients by showing them cost effective and beneficial retirement plans that will comply with the new law.

To learn more, please take a look at this webinar from The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA) and John Hancock Retirement: Help Business Owners Benefit From the Illinois Retirement Mandate. In the webinar, we cover:

• Overview of the IL Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program
• How to create a winning business retirement plan design
• Critical next steps for your business clients
• Q&A segment after the presentation

Watch Today

Fully understanding all the benefits available to your clients through their company-sponsored retirement plan can be daunting.  Let us help make it easier.  Together we will identify important plan features, options and opportunities you may be overlooking.  We want to help empower you with custom strategies to optimize your clients’ retirement planning to its fullest.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key considerations of a rollover
• Understand a plan’s unique options
• Use in-service distributions to access to plan assets while working
• Understand special tax rules for NUA in employer securities
• Learn about non-Roth after tax-accounts
• Consider defined benefit plan lump sum payouts

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The largest portion of retirement income for retirees comes from workplace retirement plans. Yet, roughly 56 million individuals (35%) do not have access to retirement plans at their place of work. To address the lack of plan access head on and a mounting retirement income crisis, a growing number of states now require private-sector business owners without retirement plans adopt state-sponsored retirement plans for their workers.

During this webinar, we discussed the history of state-sponsored retirement programs, which states have programs in place, those that will be launching in the near future, the features of each state plan, and possible alternatives for employers in impacted states. Plus, we discussed the provisions of SECURE Act 2.0 that affect state-sponsored retirement plans.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand why state felt compelled to sponsor retirement plan programs for private-sector workers
• List the states that have implemented and launched a state program, and the states that are still in development
• Articulate the impact that SECURE Act 2.0 legislation has on the features of state-sponsored retirement plans
• Describe the types of plan alternatives that are available

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SECURE Act 2.0 gives small business owners exciting new tactics and strategies designed to help them achieve business goals as well as retirement savings objectives for themselves and their employees. Attend this seminar to learn how to use qualified retirement plans and executive compensation arrangements to increase retirement income security. The session will also cover new retirement plan design options and enhanced tax credits available as a result of law changes, plus learn how implementing a plan governance process can help mitigate fiduciary liability.

Learning Objectives

• Use retirement plans to achieve business goals.
• Understand key provisions of SECURE Acts 1.0 and 2.0 affecting retirement plans.
• Learn the elements of a plan governance process.
• Identify popular executive compensation arrangements.
• Consider financial wellness programs for employees.

Watch Today

The long-awaited and much anticipated “SECURE 2.0” is here. Join TRA and Retirement Learning Center as we provide an overview of the many aspects of the new retirement-related legislation know as SECURE 2.0.

This bill makes significant changes to most aspects of the retirement environment including expanded contribution limits and credits, enhancements of SIMPLE IRA arrangements, emergency saving account options in 401(k), and matching of certain student loan payments. In addition, we’ll cover changes to excesses, corrections, RMD and rollover rules.

Lastly, the timing, amendment and effective dates of key provisions will be discussed.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the new 401(k) features including emergency savings accounts, student loan payments, starter 401(k)s, required auto-enrollment features and increased credits and limitation

• Identify enhanced SIMPLE-IRA features, modifications to 457(b) eligibility requirements and ability to treat employer contributions as Roth amounts

• Recognize expanded rollover options, additional distribution penalty exemptions, RMD changes

• Summarize changes to MEP/PEP and Group of Plans rules

• Consider the timing and effective dates of the provisions and requirement amendments

Watch Today

Social Security represents 24% of the Federal budget and approximately 60 million Americans receive benefits. To say it is a big program is an understatement. And, understanding Social Security is crucial to all those who will soon need to claim those benefits. Attend this seminar to learn about Social Security, its history, the different types of benefits, and what you need to know about executing a Social Security planning strategy.

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding of the various types of social security benefits
• Awareness of how the program operates and its funding
• Understanding the taxation rules of social security benefit
• Knowledge of benefit eligibility and calculation

Watch Today

Congress is considering multiple proposals that have the potential to dramatically reshape the retirement marketplace. Among the proposals, House Resolution (HR) 2954 “Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2021” (SSRA), and the Senate’s (S) 1770 “Retirement Security and Savings Act” (RSSA)—two overlapping bills with strong bipartisan support—are most likely to be combined into expansive retirement reform referred to as, “SECURE 2.0.” Key objectives of the bills include expanding employee coverage by workplace retirement plans, increasing retirement savings, and preserving retiree income. Among the proposed provisions are enhancing automatic enrollment, increasing tax-credits for plan start-ups, and raising the age for mandatory distributions.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand key provisions of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 (i.e., SECURE Act 1.0).
• Summarize elements of SECURE 1.0 such as Pooled Employer Plans, Group of Plans, changes to part-time employee coverage, plan set-up deadlines, and lifetime income illustrations and the deadline to provide them.
• Recognize key provisions in the combined legislation known as “SECURE Act 2.0”
• Identify other retirement reform proposals
• Consider practical and tactical actions for plans sponsors and investors considering the new proposals.

Watch Today

Are your Connecticut-based business clients ready to comply with the state’s retirement plan mandate?

With statewide rollout of the mandate already taking place, all for-profit and not-for-profit employers engaged in business in CT must begin offering a retirement plan — or offer their employees the opportunity to participate in the state-sponsored, one-size-fits-all MyCTSavings program.

Now’s the time to help provide your Connecticut business clients with cost-effective retirement plans that will comply with the new law and offer the features that they and their employees need.

To learn more, please join us for an exclusive 30-minute webinar from The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA): Help Business Owners Benefit From the Connecticut Retirement Mandate.

Learning Objectives:

• Connecticut retirement plan mandate
• Overview of the Connecticut Program
• How to create a winning business retirement plan design
• Critical next steps for your business clients
• Q&A segment after the presentation

Watch Today

Many things have changed in 2021, but we can still count a few guiding principles in the retirement plan business as we go into the 2022 selling season. One thing we can assert, many business owners and highly paid entrepreneurs are still looking for ways to lower their tax burdens.

In fact, tax-saving strategies may be more important than ever before. At the same time, offering the most attractive benefits packages to the most valued employees gains greater significance as employers navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

That’s why now is the best time to start — or expand — your Cash Balance Plan business. Cash Balance Plans continue to be the fastest-growing segment of the retirement plans market, in part because they:

• Allow for substantially larger tax-deductible contributions versus other types of plans.
• Help business owners attract and retain top talent.
• Are both cost- and tax-efficient.
• Allow for varying contribution levels.
• Can be added to another qualified plan.
• Why Cash Balance Plans are so popular — especially now.
• How to identify qualifying candidates.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understanding of how to help business owners lower their tax burden through use of a Cash Balance Plan
2. Familiarity with basics of Cash Balance Plan design and why they are so popular
3. How a Cash Balance Plan pairs with a 401k Plan to optimize tax deductions and retirement savings
4. Way to use Cash Balance Plans to accomplish business ownership succession planning goals
5. Awareness of roles of the Advisor, Plan Sponsor and Actuary/Third Party Administrator
6. How to identify suitable candidates for sponsorship of Cash Balance Plan

Watch Today

Click here to learn more about our Cash Balance Plans

Are your California-based business clients ready for the state’s retirement plan mandate?

By state law, employers who do not currently sponsor a retirement plan and who have five or more California-based employees as well as at least one employee aged 18+, must begin offering a retirement plan — or offer their employees the opportunity to participate in the state-sponsored, one-size-fits-all CalSavers program.

Businesses that don’t comply face significant penalties. Many businesses are already paying hefty fines, and the deadline for all affected employers to comply is June 30, 2022.

Now’s the time to help provide your California business clients with cost-effective retirement plans that will comply with the new law and offer the features that they and their employees need.

To learn more, watch our 40-minute webcast from The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA) and Transamerica: Help Business Owners Benefit From the California Retirement Mandate. In the webcast, we cover:

• California retirement plan mandate
• Overview of the CalSavers Program
• How to create a winning buisness retirement plan design
• Critical next steps for your business clients
• Q&A segment after the presentation

Watch Today

Retirement Plans have grown substantially in popularity and complexity. With increased legislation and DOL scrutiny on retirement plans, the need Plan Sponsors have to ensure the retirement plan they are offering to their employees is not only compliant but cost competitive has never been more important than it is right now. Communication of the contribution and file data is the cornerstone to achieving a more accurate and compliant plan.

TRA & Paycor have partnered together to provide PRIME, a simple solution that allows the communication and transfer of data seamlessly back and forth between the TPA and Recordkeeper, to help improve accuracy and timeliness of funding and mitigate fiduciary liabilities with positive impacts on fees.

This webinar is intended to focus on integrating clients payroll with their retirement plans, and will cover the following:

• Payroll integration and data transfer
• How choosing an integrated 401(k) solution can improve the efficiency and functionality of a retirement plan.
• Other positive impacts of payroll integration

You don’t want to miss this session.

Watch Today

The U.S. retirement savings system has seen dramatic changes over the years, and there is every indication that this pattern of change will continue as part of policies to address tax reform and deficit reduction. As the Pension Risk Transfer and Guaranteed Income markets continue to evolve, so do your clients’ needs.

Join The Retirement Learning Center (RLC) and DietrichAnnuity, who specializes in transferring retirement benefits to highly rated insurance companies via Single Premium Group Annuity contracts, to learn more about current offerings, trends, and activity.

This course addresses critical topics under discussion and debate on both the legislative and regulatory fronts as they pertain to workplace retirement plans and IRAs.

Learning Objectives:

• Quantify the enforcement efforts of the DOL
• Understand the IRS and DOL’s top enforcement priorities for retirement plans and IRAs
• List the retirement-related initiatives being talked about in Washington
• Identify current hot topics in the industry and know key points
• Insuring Retirement Plans with DietrichAnnuity

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Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) investing is an exciting and progressive issue affecting potentially millions of retirement plan participants. In this presentation, we will review the history of ESG investing, the current trends affecting ESG investments, the regulatory environment, and future changes within the ESG marketplace.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand what ESG investing is
• Identify current industry trends affecting ESG investing
• Comprehend the current regulatory environment and anticipated changes shaping ESG investing
• Recognize the profile of those who are most likely to be active in the ESG marketplace
• Support plan sponsors and participants in making effective decisions regarding ESG funds

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Cybersecurity is an epic concern not only in the United States, but globally. Today’s hackers are modern day Willie Suttons, targeting high-balanced financial accounts because “That’s where the money is.” Due to the massive amount of assets in retirement plans, regulatory agencies are making cybersecurity in retirement plans a top focus.

During this webinar, we’ll discuss the Department of Labor’s “three points of light” from its guidance, and the practical and tactical actions financial advisors, plan sponsors and plan participants can take now to tighten security around retirement assets.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the latest guidance on cybersecurity for qualified retirement plans
• Adapt the tips for hiring a plan service provider
• Know cybersecurity program best practices for qualified retirement plans
• Recognize the role of the financial advisor in cybersecurity

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Small businesses account for 99 percent of all U.S. businesses, and they employ half of private sector workers in the U.S. Most workers’ accumulate the majority of their retirement savings through workplace retirement plans. Because small business owners are concerned about their fiduciary liability, only half of them offer a retirement plan to their employees. Attend this course to understand the important role small businesses play in helping U.S. workers save for retirement; see how a plan governance process may help reduce fiduciary liability; identify plan design elements that may help plan sponsors achieve personal and business goals; and stay up to date on plan compliance issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the important role small businesses play in helping U.S. workers save for retirement.
• See how a plan governance process may help reduce fiduciary liability.
• Identify plan design elements that may help plan sponsors achieve personal and business goals.
• Stay up to date on plan compliance issues.

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With the Department of Labor regulations on investment advice fiduciaries vacated, the industry reverts to prior guidance on the proper steps to completing a compliant IRA rollover, including best practices as outlined in FINRA Notice 13-45 and the Securities and Exchange Commissions final Regulation Best Interest.

The session covers topics including:

• Understand the changing rollover reality
• Know the steps to discover plan distribution options
• Recognize four common rollover scenarios
• Adapt a process for implementing and repeating compliant rollovers

Watch Today

Additional supporting material:

• Rollover Checklist