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​Inside This Issue

Keep Up the Momentum With 
CEBS Instructor-Led Online Classes!

It's time to plan out the new year to make it impactful! Are you taking steps to reach the goals you've set for your professional growth? Are you still on track to further your career?  Get ready to change your game with a new designation! CEBS will highlight the level of expertise you have in the employee benefits field. Earning your CEBS proves you know the ins and outs of benefit plans and are prepared to take your career to the next level. It's time to be recognized for all you are capable of doing!

Do you have questions about the new CEBS content? We have answers! A 12-week instructor-led online class is available to help you out. 

An instructor-led online class is a great way to make your independent study more impactful. Your CEBS instructor is a benefits expert who understands the need to translate what you're learning to what you do on the job. You can log in to your class any time you want during the 12-week session—All you need is an Internet connection! A variety of tools and materials lets you study in the way that is most effective for you. An online class will enable you to expand your professional social network by learning with benefits professional peers and will help you get a grasp on the curriculum so you feel confident for your CEBS exam. With an online class, you get:

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Online Class Schedule

​Spring 2019

January 28 through April 19, 2019

​Summer 2019

May 20 through August 9, 2019

​Three Tips to Study Smarter: Creating Time Lines

It's important to be able to keep track of all the legislation that has shaped benefit plans. Here are some tips for creating a time line to help you retain this information for your CEBS exam.

1 Draw a box for each piece of legislation that has been enacted.  Write the name of the law and the year it was passed inside the box.

2 Over each box, take note of the legal and economic climate at the time each law was passed.  Why was the law enacted?  What was happening in the benefits industry at that time?

3 Under each box, add several bullet points describing the effect of the legal change.

​What's Your CEBS Story? The Spotlight Is on You!

Are you a GBA, RPA or CEBS student or designee with a great story to share about how your certification has helped you? Have you made significant improvements to your plan design or experienced career growth in relation to the new knowledge and skills you have gained with your certification? If so, we would like to showcase you! 

​Share Your Story

We're seeking your insight about earning the GBA, RPA and CEBS designations and the value of holding these credentials. Some ideas for articles are:

  • A description of how your professional network has supported you in obtaining your designation or helping you attain success—This could be through a chapter meeting, event, workshop or networking.
  • Insight about how pursuing your CEBS demonstrates that you are a lifelong learner and an expert in your profession.
  • A story about how you prepared for your CEBS exam and applied what you learned to your work.
  • A description of how your designation or the courses helped you get promoted, get a raise, begin a new career or role, or acquire new clients.

Submissions should be less than 1,000 words.

Are you interested in sharing your experience? Please click on the "Share Your CEBS Story" button on the www.cebs.org page to submit it. We'll help you to develop a great article.

​Meet the Instructor

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​Elizabeth McBurney, M.B.A., CEBS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

Assistant Human Resources Manager/Benefit Manager

Columbia County Board of Commissioners

GBA/RPA 3—Strategic Benefits Management

Elizabeth on the value of the new CEBS program:

"The exciting new GBA/RPA 3 class provides a valuable and unparalleled blending of the two most important subjects in employee benefits—health care and retirement. This strategically designed class will provide you with a curriculum that gives you a wealth of knowledge while setting you apart from your peers. Completing this course and attaining your premier CEBS designation will complete you as a recognized employee benefit professional."  

​Course Corner

Since the launch of the new CEBS curriculum, we've received a great response to the new enhancements and online access.  We have welcomed input about the program changes and, based on feedback regarding the deadline for students to become active in the new program, we have decided to make a change.

What does this mean for you?

You will not lose credit for any of the courses you previously passed that are transferrable from the former curriculum to eligible courses in the new program.  View which of your previous courses are eligible for credit in the new program:

1. Log in to your profile at www.ifebp.org/myprofile.

2. Go to "Educational Records."

3. Click on "CEBS Exam Progress Report."

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What if you still have questions?

We are here to help.  If you have questions, please contact our customer service team at cebs@ifebp.org or call (800) 449-2327, option 3.

​All study materials are available through the International Foundation. Order forms are found in the CEBS Catalog, online at www.cebs.org or by contacting CEBS at (800) 449-2327, option 3, or cebs@ifebp.org. Please check your online Study Guide or the Readings Update page for any study materials updates.

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​Highlights from the 37th Annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium

​The 37th Annual Symposium took place August 26-29, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.  Here's a look back at some of its highlights and a CEBS graduate's story:

​2018 Symposium Highlights

​My Long Journey to CEBS

​Blockchain Technology for Employee Benefits


​New Graduates

March-June 2018

​CEBS Graduates

Group Benefits Associates (GBAs)

Retirement Plans Associates (RPAs)

Compensation Management Specialist (CMSs)