Certifications
What is a Certified Retirement Counselor®?
A Certified Retirement Counselor® (CRC®) is a licensed professional who has completed specialized training in retirement planning and income distribution principles. With independent accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a CRC® provides clients with knowledgeable guidance and informed decision-making as they work toward retirement. A CRC® is a master of two primary concepts: retirement accumulation and distribution retirement planning. Retirees and those working toward retirement are at risk of outliving their retirement savings. Plus, the burden of retirement preparation continues to become increasingly individualized. Those planning for retirement can benefit from experienced guidance from a financial advisor who is qualified to provide reliable, professional retirement-focused advice and guidance. Once an advisor earns CRC® accreditation, they must maintain certification status by earning and submitting 15 hours of continuing education annually through required and applicable training programs. They must also adhere to the CRC® Code of Ethics, which states that they shall “act in the best interest of the client or retirement plan participant” as they comply with state and federal laws and regulations regarding retirement planning and saving.
What is a Chartered Financial Consultant®?
A Chartered Financial Consultant® has completed the most extensive educational program required for any financial services credential. Each ChFC® has taken at least eight college-level courses on all aspects of financial planning from the American College, a non-profit educator with the highest level of academic accreditation. Advisors with the ChFC® designation are required to serve you with the highest level of professionalism. The authority to use the ChFC ® mark is granted by the Certification Committee ofthe Board of Trustees of The American College and that privilege is contingent on adherence to strict ethical guidelines. All ChFC® advisors are required to do the same for clients that they would do for themselves in similar circumstances, the standard of ethical behavior most beneficial for their clients. A ChFC® can assist you in many areas. He can help with creating a comprehensive financial approach, assist in protecting your assets and managing risk with appropriate levels of insurance, managing taxes better for you and your business, helping you secure your retirement, building an investment approach to help you reach your goals, and enhancing the value of your estate to take care of your loved ones.
What is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor?
The Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor credential, obtainable by passing the NAPA CPFA Examination, was created by the nation’s top advisors and retirement planning experts. The credential proves an advisor’s ability to successfully and knowledgeably work with retirement plans. Advisors holding the CPFA credential are experts in acting as a plan fiduciary or assisting a plan fiduciary. Coursework for the program to earn the CPFA credential covers topics in four key areas implemented in the practice of retirement planning daily: fiduciary roles and responsibilities, fiduciary oversight, plan investment management, and plan management.
What is a Chartered Life Underwriter®?
A Chartered Life Underwriter® has earned the premier credential in the insurance profession, representing eight or more comprehensive college-level courses covering all aspects of insurance planning, estate and retirement issues, taxation, business insurance, and risk management. For more than 80 years, the American College, a non-profit educator with the highest level of accreditation, has conferred this designation. Advisors with the CLU® designation are required to serve you with the highest level of professionalism. The authority to use the CLU ® mark is granted by the Certification Committee of the Board of Trustees of The American College and that privilege is contingent on adherence to strict ethical guidelines. All CLU® advisors are required to do the same for clients that they would do for themselves in similar circumstances, the standard of ethical behavior most beneficial for their clients.