Retirement Plans Associate (RPA)

The Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation is valuable for those working with defined contribution and defined benefit plans or involved with the management of plan assets. The courses developed by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, reflect the most current and relevant information needed to effectively design and manage retirement plans.

Digital Study Guide

Take advantage of the unlimited access to the online practice exam that is included within your Digital Study Guide to check your progress and get a feel for the exam format.

Additional Study Materials

Each CEBS course has an accompanying textbook and/or collection of supplementary readings. These resources provide the theory and content of the topics covered in the Digital Study Guide and expand upon the concepts covered in the Case Studies.

Study Tips

One week of study per module is recommended, and most courses have 12 modules. Allow one to two additional weeks to review the course content prior to your exam. Online Study Groups with Instructor Support are also offered and may be purchased.

Exam Details

CEBS virtual exams are administered in four testing windows a year. It is best to purchase your exam with your study materials and set an exam date. This will help motivate you to stay on track with your study plan. Learn more: www.cebs.org/virtualexams

Program Overview
Program Details

Gain skills you can use right away as you earn your RPA.

Program highlights:

3 courses
12-18 months to complete
100% online courses
Virtual exams for all courses
Mailed certificate upon program completion

Earn your RPA designation after completing three required core courses:

Core Courses (2)

REQUIRED

RPA 1 - Directing Retirement Plans Part 1

This course initiates a discussion of the strategic importance of retirement plan design in addressing an organization’s need to systematically replenish its workforce, as well as in competitively rewarding its talent. The course provides context for understanding retirement plan design by outlining the defined contribution and defined benefit structures afforded preferential tax treatment as qualified plans.

Purchase

Required

RPA 2 - Directing Retirement Plans Part 2

This course provides strategic insights into today’s most pressing challenges that accompany the sponsoring of defined contribution plans in a volatile, global world. From the outset, the course seeks to impart the fundamentals of investment management that should be mastered to effectively design, administer, and monitor an array of investment choices within a retirement plan.

Purchase

Required

GBA/RPA 3 — Strategic Benefits Management

The strategic use of employee benefit programs is key to premier talent acquisition and effective execution on business objectives. In a world disrupted by a global pandemic, employers and workers have renewed appreciation for employee benefit programs in reducing risk and bolstering security. GBA/RPA 3 maps the dynamic environment in which employee benefit plans operate.

Purchase

You Have Questions. We Have Answers

Do the CEBS courses qualify for CE credit?

CEBS, GBA, and RPA courses may qualify for CE credit. Verify individual state credit and exam requirements.
Tell me about exam windows and what is the best strategy to selecting a window?

Each exam window is open for 60 days. You may take your exam anytime during that time period. We recommend you create a study plan to complete the course work first, then add two to three weeks for review and to complete the practice exam to be confident you are prepared. After creating this schedule, you should be able to select your exam window. If your projected completion date falls between exam windows, we recommend selecting the next exam window to not rush your studies. Learn more about exam windows

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