The GBA 1 Course (Managing Benefit Plans Part 1) is being extensively revised and a new Study Guide and textbook will be required reading for purposes of the CEBS program and the national exam. These materials will be available for purchase through Books for Business beginning in October 2022. The updates will be reflected in exams administered on or after January 15, 2023. These updates cover all modules of the course.
The course details below will be reflected in the exam being offered now through December 15, 2022.
Managing Benefit Plans Part 1
This course is required to earn the following designations: GBA, CEBS
Benefit plans can be designed, funded and administered by plan sponsors in any number of ways. The overall plan management function (e.g., who makes key decisions, legislative requirements that apply, who is accountable for results) varies depending on the plan sponsor as well as on factors such as complexity and comprehensiveness of coverage, group size, whether benefits are insured and service providers involved. Regardless of the type of plan sponsor or
nature of the benefits plan, some common principles and processes apply. This course examines what is entailed in benefit plan management decisions and factors that impact design, funding and administration options available to plan sponsors. Text-based reading is supported with tax guidance and industry-based practice guidelines.