Approved IAR CE Courses

In this continuing education session, learners will review 2 Nerd’s Eye View blog articles: Why Delaying Social Security Benefits Isn’t Always The Best Decision and Creating A Flexible Retirement Date ‘Window’ To Mitigate Sequence And Cohort Risk.

In the first article, Derek Tharp, Ph.D., CFP, CLU, RICP, challenges the common assumption that delaying Social Security to age 70 is almost always optimal, arguing that traditional research ignores real-world risks, opportunity costs, behavioral factors, and expected utility.

In the second article, Georgios Argyris, Ph.D., argues that retirement timing should be treated as an active planning decision rather than a fixed assumption, because even a modest one- to two-year shift can materially improve retirement outcomes by changing the market environment a retiree enters.

Every year, countless individuals approach retirement with concerns about their financial security, seeking ways to optimize their savings and minimize potential tax burdens. As financial advisors work with clients through the intricacies of retirement planning, another significant challenge often surfaces; how to effectively manage tax liabilities through strategic Roth conversions. With evolving tax laws and market conditions, the complexity of executing Roth conversions has grown, especially for those aiming to maximize their retirement funds without unforeseen tax consequences. In this course, participants will gain practical insights into Roth Conversion strategies, learning to navigate the intricate rules that govern these conversions. The course will cover essential tactics for optimizing the timing and execution of Roth conversions, evaluating potential risks, and leveraging opportunities for tax optimization. Through practical applications and mastering these strategies, financial advisors will be better equipped to guide their clients in implementing Roth conversions that enhance their financial security in retirement.

As millions of Americans transition into retirement each year, they face a critical challenge that can make or break their financial security: determining how to efficiently withdraw from their retirement accounts. Financial advisors increasingly encounter clients grappling with complex questions about sustainable withdrawal rates, tax implications, and how to transform their accumulated assets into reliable retirement 'cash flow'. With multiple account types, varying tax treatments, and the need to balance current lifestyle spending needs against long-term sustainability, creating an effective withdrawal strategy has become more crucial and complex than ever before. In this course, advisors will master the essential components of retirement withdrawal planning. The course will explore key aspects of withdrawal sequencing, refining asset location priorities, and tax optimization techniques that significantly impact retirement outcomes. Through practical applications and comprehensive understanding of these strategies, financial advisors will better design and implement custom client withdrawal policies to align with their clients' spending goals while maximizing tax efficiency and overall wealth.

This course explores the basics of equity options, options strategies, and non-equity options. The course begins by defining and describing call options and put options. Important options concepts are explained, such as what is meant by long versus short positions, American versus European-style options, opening versus closing positions, intrinsic versus time value, and types of settlement. Participants will learn how to calculate their gains and losses from options transactions, as well as how to use options for hedging, income and speculation. Non-equityoptions, such as index options, foreign currency options, and FLEX Options are also described.Finally, the course summarizes the benefits and risks of options, in addition to the most relevant concerns of regulators regarding options trading.

This course provides Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs) with a practical understanding of Outside Business Activity (OBA) rules and their role in identifying, mitigating, and disclosing conflicts of interest. Grounded in fiduciary duty under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and applicable SEC, NASAA, and state regulations, the course covers key requirements including prior notice, firm approval, compensation considerations, and regulatory disclosures. Participants will learn how OBAs intersect with fiduciary obligations, when activities may create material conflicts, and how to deliver clear, “full and fair” disclosures to clients. The course also distinguishes OBAs from private securities transactions and clarifies common exemptions, equipping IARs to act in the best interests of their clients while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Death is an unavoidable fact of life. Planning for death, however, not so much. Despite the many benefits of estate planning, clients still avoid this task, risking additional administrative costs, increased tax liabilities, and future family disagreements about their final wishes. In this webinar, Shelitha Smodic, CFP' shares insights from the latest research on why people hesitate to plan for their estate. This session explores the psychological and practical barriers that lead to estate planning hesitancy and provides tools advisors can use to help guide clients through these challenges. Attendees will learn how factors like mortality salience, life transitions, and even travel can create windows of opportunity for engagement in estate planning. Additionally, behavioral framing techniques, conversation starters, and tools for making estate planning more approachable and relevant for clients in different phases of life will be discussed.

Join us for an insightful session where attendees will discover why private markets present unique investment opportunities. Learn how to evaluate the advantages and challenges of private market investments, gain tools for comparing offerings and understanding fund structures, and identify key questions to ask when considering these opportunities for clients.

This course provides investment advisory representatives with a comprehensive overview of retirement accounts commonly used in the United States. It covers the various types of retirement accounts, their tax implications, regulatory environment, and strategies for effective retirement planning. The course is designed to enhance the advisors' knowledge, enabling them to better assist clients in achieving their retirement goals while adhering to regulatory and ethical standards.