Approved IAR CE Courses

This course provides a structured approach to answering one of the most pressing financial questions: How much do I need to retire? Led by renowned retirement researcher Wade Pfau, the session explores essential retirement income styles, budgeting techniques, and financial planning strategies to ensure long-term security. Participants will learn how to calculate their Funded Ratio, identify potential risks, and align their assets with retirement goals. The course also covers contingency planning, legacy considerations, and practical strategies for underfunded retirements. By the end, attendees will be equipped with actionable insights to build a more confident and sustainable retirement plan.

Retirement account balances hit a record high, reaching $36.7 Trillion in the Second Quarterof 2023. This increased balance is excellent news for retirement account ownersand their beneficiaries. But sadly, retirement account balances could be lost to avoidabletaxes and penalties because of mistakes and/or unfamiliarity with the governing rules. Join retirement expert Denise Appleby as she explains how these mistakes are often madeand what you can do to protect your clients' IRAs. Topics Denise will cover includereal-life case studies and practical examples.

This session provides a comprehensive introduction to the key principles and tools of estate planning. Participants will explore the goals of estate planning, essential documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and the basics of federal estate and gift tax regulations. The session also covers state estate and inheritance taxes, along with the strategic role of life insurance in ensuring liquidity, equalizing inheritances, and funding buy-sell agreements. Ideal for professionals and individuals seeking a solid grounding in estate planning essentials.

Explore the strategic use of trusts to achieve estate planning goals while balancing flexibility, protection, and tax efficiency. This course covers the key differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts, highlighting their unique benefits and trade-offs. Dive into specialized trust structures such as dynasty trusts for multigenerational wealth preservation, QTIP trusts for blended families, and asset protection trusts for shielding assets from creditors. Gain insights into tax-saving strategies with bypass and charitable trusts, and learn how to integrate life insurance into estate planning using ILITs and survivorship life insurance to provide liquidity and optimize second-to-die strategies.

Introduction to the Six Steps of MedicareStep 6: Review Plans AnnuallyToo many Medicare beneficiaries put their coverage on autopilot. Regardless of how their Medicare plans might change in the coming year, they simply 'let it ride.' This practice easily costs your clients thousands of dollars throughout retirement. Now, because of the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Part D, the opportunity to review drug coverage during the Open Enrollment Period is more important than ever. Beneficiaries also need to know about Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period and opportunities for changing Medigap policies.Living with MedicareMedicare Advantage plans must cover the same services as Medicare Part A and Part B; however, each plan determines how to do that. As a result, there are differences between living with each path.Medicare in 2024There have been an incredible number of changes this year in the Medicare world. Many of these can have an impact on your clients' costs, coverage, and decisions.Long-term CareIn a recent survey, 72% believe that Medicare covers long-term care and less than 10% have any idea of the costs associated with it. By the time many need this care, they may not be able to handle the costs.

For many families, 529 plans are the cornerstone of education savings'but for financial advisors, understanding how to evaluate and optimize these plans requires more than just knowing the basics. This session equips advisors with a deep understanding of the critical factors that drive 529 plan recommendations.From state-level tax incentives and ownership structure to investment options and the interaction with other planning tools, this session provides advisors with the confidence to design customized education savings strategies. Advisors will learn how to evaluate plans, guide families in optimizing tax advantages, and integrate 529s into broader estate and multigenerational wealth planning.Whether serving new parents, grandparents, or high-net-worth clients, participants will gain the tools to sharpen their recommendations and ensure clients get the maximum strategic benefit from this tax-advantaged vehicle.

This program is designed for investment professionals, compliance officers, and legal teams who handle customer complaints in the financial industry. The course provides a comprehensive framework for identifying, reporting, and resolving complaints while ensuring compliance with SEC, FINRA, and firm regulations. Participants will learn how to navigate the complaint process, mitigate risks, and protect their professional reputation.

Navigating the complexities of long-term care and Medicaid eligibility can be overwhelming for clients facing a sudden care need without prior planning. This session, led by renowned elder law expert Dale Krause, J.D., LL.M., provides a comprehensive overview of crisis Medicaid planning, with a focus on Medicaid Compliant Annuities (MCAs). Participants will gain practical tools to protect client assets, accelerate Medicaid eligibility, and implement crisis strategies for both married and single individuals. The session features real-life case studies and a detailed walkthrough of Gift/MCA plans.

The college funding landscape is evolving rapidly, with sweeping changes to the FAFSA, institutional methodologies such as the CSS Profile, and federal student loan programs. Financial advisors must understand these shifts in order to properly guide both high- and middle-income families through effective planning strategies.This session provides a practical roadmap for interpreting new FAFSA rules under the FAFSA Simplification Act and the OBBBA, analyzing the unique nuances of the CSS Profile, and navigating federal loan reforms affecting undergraduate, graduate, and parent borrowers. Advisors will also learn how to leverage timing strategies, 529 coordination, and strategic loan structuring to align college costs with long-term financial goals.Participants will leave with a toolkit of resources'including loan comparison matrices, affordability worksheets, and award letter negotiation templates'to help clients make smarter, ROI-based decisions about higher education financing.