1. Group Benefits Associate (GBA) Track

This track focuses on the design, funding, and administration of health and welfare benefits.

GBA 1: Directing Benefit Programs (Part 1)

Healthcare Environment: Overview of the U.S. healthcare system, stakeholders, and market trends.

Medical Benefit Design: Managed care, High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs), and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

Regulatory Compliance: ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements.

Quality and Cost Control: Cost-containment strategies, wellness programs, and utilization management.

Specialty Benefits: Dental, vision, and hearing plan structures.

GBA 2: Directing Benefit Programs (Part 2)

Prescription Drug Benefits: PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager) roles, formulary management, and specialty drugs.

Life and Disability Insurance: Design of Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) plans, and group term life insurance.

Flexible Benefit Plans: Section 125 Cafeteria plans, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Dependent Care assistance.

Administration & Communication: Enrollment processes, outsourcing vs. in-house administration, and employee engagement strategies.

Global Benefits: Fundamentals of managing benefits for a multinational workforce.

2. Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) Track

This track covers the complex world of retirement savings, investment management, and fiduciary law.

RPA 1: Directing Retirement Plans (Part 1)

Retirement Landscape: Economic and demographic trends affecting retirement security.

Defined Contribution (DC) Plans: 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plan design, contribution limits, and vesting schedules.

Defined Benefit (DB) Plans: Pension plan formulas, funding requirements, and the role of the PBGC.

Regulatory Framework: In-depth ERISA compliance, non-discrimination testing, and reporting (Form 5500).

Behavioral Finance: Applying psychological principles to increase employee participation and savings rates.

RPA 2: Directing Retirement Plans (Part 2)

Investment Principles: Risk/return profiles, asset allocation, and modern portfolio theory.

Fiduciary Responsibility: Fiduciary duties under ERISA, liability mitigation, and the role of investment committees.

Plan Governance: Monitoring service providers, fee disclosures, and operational compliance.

Distribution & Tax Strategies: Tax treatment of distributions, rollovers, and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

Retirement Preparedness: Managing longevity risk and post-retirement income strategies.

3. The Bridge Course (Common to Both Tracks)

GBA/RPA 3: Strategic Benefits Management

This capstone-style course integrates both tracks to view benefits as a strategic tool for organizational success.

Total Rewards Strategy: Aligning benefits with compensation and talent acquisition goals.

Financial Management: Budgeting for benefits, financial reporting, and analyzing the impact on the corporate bottom line.

Legal and Ethical Issues: Navigating complex legal disputes and ethical dilemmas in benefit administration.

Public Policy: How legislative changes and government mandates influence private-sector benefit trends.

Case Study Application: Applying technical knowledge to real-world scenarios involving plan design and problem-solving.