Public Plan Trustees Institute – Level I

Tuesday, July 15 - Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park,

Chicago, IL

Have a Question About this Program?

Check out the frequently asked questions below.

What is Public Plan Trustees Institute?

The Public Plans Trustees Institute is a new education offering designed for public sector health and retirement trustees and other fiduciaries. This program will replace the Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy (CAPPP) program. Topics include:

Level I	Level II
Fiduciary Responsibility and Plan Governance Retirement Plans Health Plans Legal Environment	Public Plan Governance and Emerging Issues Investing Public Plan Assets Trustee Board Strategies Plan Administration and Communication Concepts

How is the Public Plan Trustees Institute different from CAPPP?

The program was streamlined, as well as redesigned to be more relevant for trustees and other public sector fiduciaries. The Health and Pensions tracks are combined into a single track to place a larger emphasis on essential fiduciary duties. In addition, the take-home exam portion of the program has been replaced with in-class lectures and case study exercises.

What is the intended audience for the Public Plan Trustees Institute?

The Public Plan Trustees Institute is designed specifically for trustees and other fiduciaries that work in public retirement and health systems, including protective services, education, transportation, and health care systems, in municipalities, states, and the federal government.

I have already completed the CAPPP program. Should I complete the Public Plan Trustees Institute program?

While the program is being updated, the Public Plan Trustees Institute will replicate a large portion of the existing CAPPP material, which may be duplicative. However, longer tenured fiduciaries may find value in the redesigned program as a refresher of their essential duties.

I have taken one part of the two parts necessary to complete the CAPPP program. What do I do now?

We are sensitive to the fact that attendees do not want to be "caught in the middle" of the program transition. Because of this, we are giving attendees a 2-year window, to complete Level I of the new Public Plan Trustees Institute and retroactively earn the full CAPPP certification. In other words, attendees have until the end of 2026 to earn the CAPPP certification using a combination of the old CAPPP program and newly redesigned program.

When will the full program be rolled out?

Level I was first offered as a standalone program in the summer of 2025. In 2026, Levels I and II will be offered in conjunction with future offerings of the Trustees and Administrators Institutes, and before the U.S. Annual Employee Benefits Conference. Level II will debut at the summer offering of the Trustees and Administrators Institutes, June 15-16, 2026 in San Diego, CA.

I work in the public sector, but am not a trustee or other fiduciary. What other education does the International Foundation offer?

Public sector staff that may have limited, or no fiduciary duties should explore the various Employee Benefits Courses offered by the International Foundation. In addition, the U.S. Annual Employee Benefits Conference offers a full education track for Public Plans.

I have additional questions about the program. Who should I contact?

If you have any further questions about public sector education at the International Foundation, please contact Justin Held at (262) 373-7718 or [email protected].