2025 Updates on Basics for Pension & Defined Benefit Plans 2 Credits
Learning mode
Planning for retirement is a critical financial decision, and Defined Benefit (DB) Plans provide a structured, employer-funded solution to secure a stable income in later years.
Unlike Defined Contribution (DC) plans, where retirement payouts depend on investment performance, DB plans guarantee benefits based on salary history, service years, and a fixed formula. But how do these plans work, and what makes them a valuable retirement option? This course explores the fundamentals of DB plans, highlighting their advantages, funding methods, and regulatory compliance.
This CPE course covers everything professionals need to know about DB plans, from understanding contribution structures to exploring retirement distribution choices. Key aspects such as benefit formulas, funding strategies, tax implications, and plan limits are explained in a simple, practical manner. With clear examples and expert insights, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how DB plans function, how employers manage funding obligations, and how employees maximize their benefits.
Major topics covered:
Join this insightful course to master Defined Benefit Plans and make informed retirement planning decisions!
License details | Credits | Status |
---|---|---|
Finance for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) | 2 CPE | Approved |
Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) | 2 CPD | Eligible |
Finance for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | 2 PL | Eligible |
Finance for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
Finance for Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Financial Planning for Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Financial Planning for Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist (CFIRS) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
Finance for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
Finance for Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for CIPM | 2 PL | Eligible |
License details | Credits | Status |
---|---|---|
Finance for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) | 2 CPE | Approved |
Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) | 2 CPD | Eligible |
Finance for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | 2 PL | Eligible |
Finance for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
Finance for Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Financial Planning for Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Financial Planning for Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist (CFIRS) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
Finance for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
Finance for Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL) | 2 CE | Eligible |
Finance for CIPM | 2 PL | Eligible |
Credits
2
Course Level
Basic
Instructional Method
QAS Self Study
Group Internet Based
Pre-requisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
MY-CPE LLC, 1600 Highway 6 south, suite 250, sugar land, TX, 77478
MY-CPE LLC (Sponsor Id#: 143597) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors.
Stephen Abramson is the President and founding partner of APS Pension & Financial Services established in 1977, a mid-size consulting and actuarial firm employing twenty-two professional and support staff specializing in pension and pension-related services. For over 40 years, APS has been providing closely held businesses with financial services including pension design and administration, business succession planning, and wealth preservation planning. In 2015 APS Investment Management was established to provide fiduciary services to 401(k) and 403(b) plans and in 2018 APS Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), was established to provide investment management services to individual clients and retirement plans replacing his previous relationship with a Broker/Dealer. Steve has taught professional level education programs for the American Society of Pension Actuaries; lectured to various professional groups, including the National Conference of CPA Practitioners, The NYS Society of CPAs, Nassau Bar Association, the C.W. Post Tax Institute, and the National Institute of Pension Administrators; and conducted continuing education seminars for Certified Public Accountants for the past 35 years. He is co-author of Plan Smart, Retire Rich published by McGraw Hill in 1998; author of Advisor’s Guide to Qualified Plans originally published by Aspen Publishing in March, 2002 and recently in the process of being updated with the 8th edition, and Retirement Financial Management for Clients Approaching Retirement published by Aspen Publishing in August, 2002. A less technical version of Advisor’s Guide to Qualified Plans entitled Guide to Qualified Retirement Plans: A Plain Language Primer was published by the International Association of Employee Benefits in March 2005. The second edition of this book was released in 2008.
Steve graduated from Cornell University in 1964, earned the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter in 1967 from the American College, Certified Pension Consultant in 1970 from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries and Chartered Financial Consultant from the American College in 1972.
What is Self Study (QAS)?
Self Study QAS (Quality Assurance Service) is a NASBA and other regulatory bodies approved program designed for Professionals to complete their Continuing Professional Education credits through self-paced, interactive courses that meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. We are approved by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies.
How do I earn CPE credits through self-study?
To earn CPE credits, you must complete the self-study course, pass the required assessments, and submit the necessary documentation. Credits are awarded based on the completion of course hours and successfully passing the assessments.
Are the self-study courses approved by NASBA and other regulatory bodies?
Yes, all our self-study courses are approved by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards for quality and educational content set by these organizations.
What are the requirements to maintain compliance with self-study courses?
To maintain compliance, you must follow the guidelines set by NASBA and other regulatory bodies, which include completing the course within the specified timeframe, passing the assessments, and keeping accurate records of your learning activities.
How can I access my course completion certificates?
After successfully completing a self-study course and passing the assessments, you can access and download your course completion certificates from your account dashboard on our platform. These certificates are recognized by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies for compliance and reporting purposes.
How are credits reported to governing bodies?
We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days – the fastest in the industry.
What is a Live Webinar Group Internet-Based Credit?
A Live Webinar Group Internet-Based Credit is an interactive, real-time online seminar where professionals can earn Continuing Education credits by participating in live sessions led by experts in various fields. These sessions meet the standards set by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies.
How do I earn credits through live webinars?
To earn credits, you must attend the entire live webinar, actively participate in any polls or questions, and complete any required evaluations or assessments. Credits are awarded based on your attendance and participation in the live session.
Are the live webinars approved by NASBA and other regulatory bodies?
Yes, all our live webinars are approved by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies, ensuring they meet the high standards for quality, interactivity, and educational content set by these organizations.
What are the requirements to maintain compliance with live webinar courses?
To maintain compliance, you must adhere to the guidelines set by NASBA and other regulatory bodies, which include attending the full duration of the webinar, participating in interactive elements, and completing any post-webinar evaluations or assessments.
How can I access my webinar completion certificates?
After successfully attending a live webinar and fulfilling all participation requirements, you can access and download your completion certificates from your account dashboard on our platform. These certificates are recognized by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies for compliance and reporting purposes.
How are credits reported to governing bodies?
We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days – the fastest in the industry.
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We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days - fastest in the industry.
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