NIPA Webcasts and Recordings
Throughout the year, NIPA offers Webcasts and other educational opportunities that provide relevant, timely information in a convenient, flexible format. NIPA's low-cost, online education allows you to maximize industry knowledge and earn 2 NIPA and 2 ERPA continuing education credits from the comfort of your workstation.
Check out a snapshot of NIPA's 2010 webcast schedule. More information on each of the sessions will be available in the coming weeks—please be sure to check this page frequently for updates!
Optimizing Processes in the TPA Environment
Presented by Juergen Meyer
Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
The webcast will introduce performance improvement tools tailored to the TPA environment that are based on established continuous improvement methods including Lean Principles. The tools will enable TPAs to :
-
Improve productivity,
- Absorb additional plans without adding additional staff;
- Avoid seasonal ‘crunch' periods,
- Serve clients on a more predictable and timely fashion, and
- Identify and capture additional business opportunities.
The presentation will draw on examples and experience from a series of one-week operational reviews conducted at six TPAs and subsequent implementations of performance enhancement methodologies. Areas of improvement presented include:
-
Workflow management and balance,
- Elimination of redundancies in data collection and document management,
- Avoid seasonal ‘crunch' periods,
- Timely and objective quality feedback to associates, and
- Use of available client information for identification of additional service opportunities.
The presentation will include best practices from a wide range of industries - including discrete and process manufacturing - that can be applied to a TPA environment. It will also guide TPAs toward a bias to not only serve customers more promptly, but also to shift their value proposition from a fee-based service that is required to a consultative relationship providing tangible value to the customer and enhanced revenue opportunities to the TPA.
Advanced 401(a)(4) Nondiscrimination Testing
Presented by Karen Smith, FSA, EA, JD
Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
A qualified plan must provide for contributions or benefits that are nondiscriminatory under IRC §401(a)(4). Certain plan designs are automatically nondiscriminatory under the 401(a)(4) safe harbors and do not require actual testing of contributions or benefits. Plan designs that do not satisfy one of these safe harbors are required to demonstrate nondiscrimination using the 401(a)(4) general test, also known as rate group testing. Typically, defined contribution (DC) plans comply with 401(a)(4) by demonstrating that contributions are nondiscriminatory. However, by converting each participant's contribution into an equivalent benefit at retirement, a testing method known as cross-testing, a DC plan may be able to satisfy nondiscrimination on a benefits-basis instead. Attend this webinar to learn:
- Allocation methods that require testing under the general test;
- How to identify and determine rate groups;
- Determining whether a rate group passes either the ratio percentage test or average benefits test;
- How to perform cross-testing, including satisfying the gateway test;
- How allocation groups may be defined;
- The option to impute permitted disparity;
- Special rules for treating multiple rates as a single rate and restructuring;
- Special rules for demonstrating nondiscrimination under a DB/DC plan;
- Plan aggregation, disaggregation and otherwise excludable employees;
- Relationship of nondiscrimination testing to the minimum coverage rules;
- Correction methods for discriminatory contributions or benefits; and
- Real life case studies that demonstrate the practical application of these rules.
Beyond Traditional Communications
Presented by Alan Gross
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
Part of the NIPA 2010 Thought Leadership Series presented by Alan Gross for TPA business owners. Each session offers a practical look at marketing and communication issues facing business decision makers and presents actionable, cost-effective ways to take advantage of new technologies and business best practices.
Face-to-face meetings, phone calls, emails, text messages, video chats, blog posts, newsletters, postcards, tweets, and status updates are all ways to communicate: How do you reach your audience? Are you reflecting their preferences or yours?
Fee Disclosure Under Final DOL 408(b)(2) Regs
Presented by Ilene H. Ferenczy, Esq., APA, CPC
Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
Join Ilene Ferenczy for a discussion of your fee disclosure obligations under final DOL guidance, as well as a review of any pending legislation on the issue. Practical suggestions for compliance and an analysis of the ramifications of noncompliance will be covered.
Ethics: What ERPAs and Pension Administrators Need To Know
Presented by Michael P. Coyne, J.D.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. CT
What does it mean for a retirement plan professional to act ethically? TPAs and advisors need to seriously consider this question in light of the roles they fill. Being ethical isn't the result of reading about ethics or even attending an ethics seminar! Ethics involves making ethical decisions every day, in every context, based on an ethical standard of conduct. While it seems obvious to avoid conduct that is dishonest, deceitful or fraudulent, sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances that are not so clear cut, and “doing the right thing” is hard to determine. In today's webcast, Mike Coyne will discuss how ethical decision-making isn't always easy when facing ethically challenging situations. Mike will cover:
- How to maintain high professional standards in retirement plan matters;
- How to avoid conflicts of interest, as well as if such conflicts arise, how to resolve them;
- Circular 230 and the role of the Office of Professional Responsibility in enforcing it;
- Circular 230 provisions that are most relevant to enrolled retirement plan agents (ERPAs);
- The types of conduct that may result in discipline under Circular 230; and
- Real life ethically challenging situations that give rise to potential problems, and ways to avoid these problems.
Service Agreements
Presented by Jane Armstrong, Esq.
Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
With the ever changing world of regulations and disclosure requirements, Service Agreements can quickly become out of date. This session will focus on the practicalities of what an agreement should specify and what it shouldn't. Special attention will be paid to crafting an agreement that assists both the firm and the client with their responsibilities. Attend this webcast to learn:
- Language your agreement should contain;
- Ways to incorporate flexibility based on which provider, vendor or service is elected by the plan sponsor;
- Best practices for fee and revenue disclosure;
- Ways to implement timely revisions.
Effective Employee Appraisals: Maximize Your Workforce
Presented by
Diane Krebs, Esq.
Date:
Tuesday, September 21 – 11:00 a.m. CT
In today's economy, employers cannot afford to have workers performing at less than full capacity. Employee appraisals, supported by year-round open communication, is one of the best ways to make sure employees know what is expected of them and whether they are properly meeting those expectations. However, reviews are only effective if a proper system is in place, and followed, for all employees. This webinar will reinforce the many benefits – both legal and practical – to utilizing a formal evaluation process and then help participants through the process, from set-up of a system that works for their company to tips and step-by-step instructions on how to implement that system. Diane will cover:
- The Need for Employee Appraisals – Don't Be Penny-Wise and Pound-Foolish
- Legal hazards
- Practical hazards
- Top 10 reasons employees do not do what they should
- Setting Up A Workable Appraisal System
- Primary purpose/concerns
- “Golden Rules” for setting up a review system
- The year-round process
- Preparing and Delivering the Review
- Observation and documentation
- Common evaluation errors
- The appraisal meeting
- Follow-up
Strategic and Tactical Action Plan Creation Workshop
Presented by Bob Dabic
Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010 11:00 a.m. CT
This webcast will show you how to create a step-by-step implementation plan to accomplish one of your company's top operational objectives (i.e., significant projects/programs) to help achieve your company's 2010 revenue or profit goal! It will also cover a simple and very effective accountability process to assure that plan steps are actually completed in a timely manner!
Plan Document Issues
Presented by Richard Hochman, Esq. and Robert Richter, JD, LLM
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
Even though prototype and volume submitter plans have been restated for EGTRRA, plans continue to require interim amendments. Our speakers will discuss the requirements for the 2010 interim amendments and current efforts to modify the Service's interim amendment procedures. Specifically, our speakers will discuss:
- Interim amendments for 2010 (436; HEART);
- Interim amendments for 2011;
- Special considerations for Cycle E restatements;
- The future of the interim amendment requirement;
- The latest on the 403(b) document approval program; and
- Updated staggered RAP procedure, pending IRS issuance
1099R – 945 Filing for 2010
Presented by William Grossman, QPA, ERPA
Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
The IRS requires Plan Sponsors to report transactions from Retirement Plans. With the IRS allowing Roth Conversions and rollovers into Roth accounts, plan administration must include tracking the 1 st year of contributions and the basis included in the account. Defaulted loans must be reported on a 1099R, but when is a loan considered a “loan offset” vs. a “Deemed Distribution”? Using the correct distribution code is imperative and incorrect reporting could have adverse affects on a participant. Some transactions are considered taxable but federal withholding may not be mandatory.
Attend this webinar to learn what's new for 2010 reporting! We will cover the details of:
- Which plans and transactions you must file a 1099R for;
- Designated Roth Accounts;
- Roth Conversions;
- Loans – deemed distributions vs. loan offset;
- Distribution Codes – including combined codes;
- Taxable vs Non-taxable transactions; and
- What's new for 2010?
Ethics: What ERPAs and Pension Administrators Need To Know
Presented by Michael P. Coyne, J.D.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. CT
What does it mean for a retirement plan professional to act ethically? TPAs and advisors need to seriously consider this question in light of the roles they fill. Being ethical isn't the result of reading about ethics or even attending an ethics seminar! Ethics involves making ethical decisions every day, in every context, based on an ethical standard of conduct. While it seems obvious to avoid conduct that is dishonest, deceitful or fraudulent, sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances that are not so clear cut, and “doing the right thing” is hard to determine. In today's webcast, Mike Coyne will discuss how ethical decision-making isn't always easy when facing ethically challenging situations. Mike will cover:
- How to maintain high professional standards in retirement plan matters;
- How to avoid conflicts of interest, as well as if such conflicts arise, how to resolve them;
- Circular 230 and the role of the Office of Professional Responsibility in enforcing it;
- Circular 230 provisions that are most relevant to enrolled retirement plan agents (ERPAs);
- The types of conduct that may result in discipline under Circular 230; and
- Real life ethically challenging situations that give rise to potential problems, and ways to avoid these problems.
End of Year Regulatory Update
Presented by Robert Kaplan, APA, CFP, CPC, QPA
Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
NIPA is pleased to have Robert M. Kaplan, APA, CFP, CPC, QPA present our final year-end webcast for 2010. This session will encompass a look back at regulations passed in 2010 and the language and administrative requirements created by the new rules. This webcast will not only bring you up-to-date on recent IRS and DOL guidance, but will also inform you of current hot buttons and areas that will receive IRS and DOL attention in the future. Attend this webcast to learn:
- The latest on regulations, notices, field assistance bulletins and other guidance issued by both IRS and DOL;
- Implementation procedures and compliance requirements;
- Practical input on how the changes impact your work and your clients ;
- A look ahead to what may be next
Compensation
Presented by Larry Starr
Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. CT
The definition of compensation in the plan document affects the plan administration. Special discrimination testing maybe required. Accurate Data collection is necessary for year end reporting and instructions should be given to the Plan Sponsor defining the compensation needed for their entity type as well as necessary information needed to properly administer the plan.
- Definitions of Compensation – What compensation definition should be used for which purpose;
- Self-employed individuals and other entities;
- Discrimination Testing;
- Compensation Exclusions and Allocation Provisions;
- Data Collection for year-end reporting; and
- Partial Year measurement periods and Short Plan year compensation issues
Participants are eligible to receive 2 NIPA CE credits and 2 ERPA CE credits.
NIPA also offers CE credits to additional registrants from the same organization. With each full Webcast, each additional participant from the same company may register for the Webcast for only $50 and receive CE credit. Additional Webcast participants must sign-up as a full registrant using the online registration form.
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