The Certificate in Global Benefits Management course is a proven source for building a strong foundation in international benefits. The International Foundation brings together a group of authoritative global professionals who will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to successfully navigate the complexities of international benefits. With globalization of nearly all industries taking place, the demand for the International Foundation’s Certificate Series course in Global Benefits Management continues to be strong.
General Session Topics
| 1. |
- Cultural differences and their impact
- Conducting business in other cultures
- Effect of cultural differences on cross-cultural business operations
- Enhancing individual and organizational cross-cultural competence
- Model of intercultural sensitivity
- Dimensions of culture
- Impact of cultural misunderstandings
- Becoming cross-culturally competent
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| 2. |
- Mandatory benefits
- Government-provided benefits—social security
- Compulsory company-provided benefits
- Labor laws and regulations
- Benefits legislation
- Works councils
- Data privacy requirements
- Tax and accounting laws
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| 3. |
- Types of international assignments and benefits provided
- Permanent/temporary/short-term assignments
- Factors impacting benefits for international transfer
- Living standards/tax laws/different approaches to social security
- Welfare benefits issues and options
- Home country plans
- Host country plans
- Offshore plans
- Retirement programs
- Social security
- Issues and potential solutions
- Totalization agreements
- Other retirement program issues
- Duplicated coverages
- Internal equity
- Payment of benefits
- Differences in retirement ages
- Ancillary benefits and loss of benefits
- Financing programs for globally mobile employees
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| 4. |
- Macro health care overview
- Global health opportunities and challenges
- Health care trends and expenditures
- Global diseases
- Health insurance frameworks
- Components of health insurance programs
- Financing and delivery
- Employee medical coverage
- Expatriate medical plan coverage
- Employee assistance programs
- Developing a global health care strategy
- Overview of medical coverage in selected countries
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| 5. |
- U.S. vs. overseas insurance markets
- Inefficiencies and the need for solutions
- Multinational pooling arrangements—What are they?
- Savings realized
- Which benefits are poolable?
- Key steps in establishing a pool
- From concept to reality—a “real-life” example
- Advanced issues and new developments
- Protecting the pool
- Blocked currency countries
- Moving retirement contracts
- Captives
- Offshore retirement plans
- Determining eligibility, benefit levels, funding methods, vendor selection
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| 6. |
- Mergers and acquisitions—overview
- Deal types: acquisition; joint venture; spin-off/divestiture; initial public offering (IPO); outsourcing
- Aligning your action plan with merger rationale
- Due diligence and project planning
- Culture
- Pre-deal strategy and planning
- Employment conditions
- Comparing U.S. and non-U.S. conditions
- Compliance
- Assess compliance position
- Adhere to deal-specific legislation
- Conduct mandatory consultation
- Maintain ongoing compliance
- Compensation
- Impact on earned pay
- Differences in pay practices
- Developing ongoing pay strategies
- Benefits
- Assessing the financial impact
- Past service obligations
- Future benefits strategies
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Specific Countries and Regions
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Europe
- Middle East
- Africa
Earning Your Certificate in Global Benefits Management
When you complete the global certificate course, you will have gained important knowledge and have something to show for it: your Certificate of Achievement from the leading educator in the industry—the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The certificate, suitable for framing, documents your learning achievement. You must be present for the entire program to earn the certificate. Please make your travel plans accordingly.
Contact Information
For questions regarding the curriculum of the International Foundation’s Global Benefits and Compensation courses, contact Barb Swarthout (262) 373-7668, or barbs@ifebp.org. For registration information, e-mail edreg@ifebp.org or phone toll-free (888) 334-3327, option 2 or (262) 786-6710, option 2.