Retirement Plan Sponsor Responsibilities
Recommended Sequence (part 3 of 4): The first two courses in the curriculum are The Retirement Landscape and Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans. It is recommended that you take this course before Life Cycle of a Group Retirement Plan.
Retirement Plan Sponsor Responsibilities outlines the intent and application of the Guidelines for Capital Accumulation Plans (CAP Guidelines) and the Pension Plan Governance Guideline issued by the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA). It reviews the significance of both sets of guidelines for plan sponsors, plan members and service providers and highlights key differences between them. Steps taken by these groups when setting up, operating and terminating a CAP are reviewed.
Topics Covered
- Lesson 1: Implications of the Capital Accumulation Plan (CAP) Guidelines for CAP Stakeholders
- Lesson 2: Setting Up a CAP
- Lesson 3: Introducing a CAP to Plan Members
- Lesson 4: Maintaining a CAP and Providing Ongoing Communication to Plan Members
- Lesson 5: Terminating a CAP
Course Outline
Implications of the Capital Accumulation Plan (CAP) Guidelines for Stakeholders
- Definition of a CAP Under the CAP Guidelines
- Key Terms Associated with a CAP
- CAP Guidelines
- CAP Guidelines Purpose
- Intent of the CAP Guidelines
- CAP Guidelines Structure
- Impact of the CAP Guidelines on Plan Sponsors
- Significance of the CAP Guidelines to Insurers
- Impact of the CAP Guidelines on Plan Administrators
- Impact of the CAP Guidelines on CAP Providers
- Impact of the CAP Guidelines on Plan Members
- CAPSA Pension Plan Governance Guideline
- Principles Outlined in the CAPSA Pension Plan Governance Guideline
- Application of Both the CAPSA Pension Plan Governance Guideline and the CAP Guidelines
- Service Providers Must Understand the Intent and Application of Both the CAPSA and CAP Guidelines
- Target Audience for the CAPSA Pension Plan Governance Guideline and the CAP Guidelines
Total pages in lesson: 16
Setting Up a CAP
- Life Cycle of a CAP
- Plan Sponsor’s Key Steps in Setting Up a CAP
- Factors Impacting the CAP Sponsor’s Decision to Use Service Providers
- Role of an Advisor in Setting Up a CAP
- Advisor Compensation
- Determining Which CAP Plan Type(s) Will Be Used
- Role of a CAP Provider in Setting Up a CAP
- CAP Provider Compensation
- Responsibility for Offering Investment Advice
- Choosing an Appropriate Service Provider for Member Investment Advice
- Choosing Investment Options for the CAP
- Investment Options Defined
- Additional Factors to Consider if Investment Options Include Investment Funds
- Policy Regarding Failure to Make Investment Choices (Default Policy)
- CAP Sponsor’s Role in Plan Record Maintenance
Total pages in lesson: 15
Introducing a CAP to Plan Members
- Introducing a CAP to Plan Members
- Importance of the Plan Introduction Stage
- Information Provided to CAP Members on the Nature and Features of the Plan
- Information a CAP Sponsor Should Provide on the Rights and Responsibilities of CAP Members
- Investment Information a CAP Sponsor Should Provide to Plan Members
- Investment and Decision-Making Tools to Provide to CAP Members
- Information to Provide to CAP Members on Transfer Options
- Information to Provide to CAP Members if Transfer Options Are Suspended
- Information to Provide to CAP Members Regarding Fees, Expenses and Penalties
Total pages in lesson: 9
Maintaining a CAP and Providing Ongoing Communication to Plan Members
- Plan Sponsor’s Key Activities in Operating a CAP
- Ongoing Information That Should Be Provided to CAP Members
- Information a CAP Sponsor Should Include in Plan Member Statements
- Other Information That Should Be Made Available to CAP Members
- Information to Include in a Notice of Significant Changes in Investment Options
- Specific Information to Provide if an Investment Option Is Removed, Replaced or Added
- CAP Sponsor Performance Reports for Investment Options
- Plan Sponsor’s Key Activities in Maintaining a CAP
Total pages in lesson: 8
Terminating a CAP
- Plan Sponsor’s Role in Terminating a CAP
- Termination of a CAP Member's Participation
- Information That Must Be Provided
Total pages in lesson: 3
Course Applies To
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