Approved IAR CE Courses

In an environment of heightened policy uncertainty and increased client anxiety around retirement income, former SSA Director Kurt Czarnowski will begin with a concise update on the current state of Social Security and a practical refresher on foundational claiming strategies. Drawing on decades of experience inside the Social Security Administration, Kurt will ground the discussion in what advisors need to know today before challenging one of the most entrenched pieces of conventional wisdom in retirement planning.

Derek Tharp will then examine why the standard advice to delay Social Security until 70 may not apply as broadly as conventional analyses suggest. Many Social Security claiming studies use a 0% discount rate, treating a dollar of benefits at age 62 as equivalent to a dollar at age 95 — an assumption that systematically favors delayed claiming while overlooking important real-world considerations. We’ll explore factors typically absent from standard analyses: mortality risk, sequence of returns risk, policy uncertainty, health span limitations, and the well-documented behavioral reality that retirees spend Social Security income far more readily than portfolio withdrawals. Using dynamic programming models that account for these empirically documented preferences, this session will demonstrate how personalized discount rates adjusted for each retiree’s circumstances can shift optimal claiming strategies meaningfully earlier than conventional guidance would indicate, and why early claiming often reflects rational decision-making rather than financial mistakes.

In this continuing education session, learners will review 2 Nerd's Eye View blog articles: Social Security Fairness Act: Planning Considerations For The Repeal Of The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) And Government Pension Offset (GPO) and 'How Much More Will I Get?': Calculating The Impact Of WEP And GPO's Repeal On Social Security Benefits. In these articles, Ben Henry-Moreland walks readers through the impacts of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WPO) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) repeal. Ben begins by explaining these provisions and their effect on Social Security benefits before their repeal on January 5, 2025, and then explains how Social Security benefits calculations will change for clients impacted. New planning considerations based on the repeal of WPO and GPO are also discussed.

It is imperative that advisors understand the implications of when and how to take Social Security retirement benefits when creating holistic, goals-based retirement income plans. The information presented within this microcourse is based on lectures from Marcia Mantell, RMA', NSSA', and is designed to give you an appropriate overview of Social Security retirement benefits.

This webinar will equip financial advisors with essential Social Security education and updates, including the 2026 annual automatic determinations and recent key program rule changes. It will cover the January 2025 repeal of two pension-related rules, as well as any current pending legislative proposals which could impact retirement financial planning. Advisors will also gain insights from the January 2025 study, "Social Security at 90: A Bipartisan Roadmap for the Programs Future," which explores solutions for closing the programs long-term funding gap; the study is by the National Academy of Social Insurance, AARP, the National Institute on Retirement Security, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Attendees will leave with actionable knowledge to guide clients through Social Securitys evolving landscape.

Tax planning has become an increasingly important part of the typical wealth management relationship, making a sound understanding of tax-saving strategies an absolute must for many financial professionals. One such strategy that has a place on the financial advisor's 'rolodex' of planning tools is Section 1202 Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS). For the right business owner-client, QSBS offers a virtually unrivaled opportunity to create substantial, long-term tax-free growth. Unfortunately, not all small businesses are eligible for QSBS treatment, and of those that are, owners often fail to fully maximize their tax-free potential due to a lack of understanding of the key rules, or a failure to think creatively. At this Kitces monthly webinar, Jeff Levine explains key QSBS concepts and provides practical tips advisors can apply to help clients take advantage of this unique planning opportunity.

Concentrated stock exposure, whether from employee compensation, inheritances, or preference, can leave client portfolios vulnerable to outsized risk and limited flexibility. A market downturn or unforeseen financial need magnifies the dangers of concentrated stock while also putting the client's overall goals at risk. In attempting to address this risk, advisors can face significant obstacles from the tax implications of concentrated stock but also from emotional attachments and behavioral biases associated with these positions. In this webinar, John Nersisan walks through scenarios that can lead clients to have concentrated stock positions and their associated risks. Then, he provides strategies to mitigate the risks associated with those concentrated positions based on client objectives. Client objectives such as liquidity, tax minimization, diversification, and wealth transfer are discussed in alignment with the benefits and drawbacks of mitigation strategies, such as stock sales, zero premium collars, exchange funds, and charitable giving.

Many advisors focus on the "Great Wealth Transfer," estimated to be around $124 trillion through 2048, projected to shift assets from Baby Boomers to their heirs. However, of this amount, approximately $54 trillion is expected to first be passed through inter-spousal transfers to widows, of which more than 95% is expected to go to women.Advisors should prepare married couples for intentionally transferring wealth through titling of assets, making irrevocable lifetime gifts, and structuring inheritances at death through trusts and outright bequests. This session will review the federal estate and gift tax exemption under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (including the effects of any potential sunset or revision thereto), explore some of the various types of trusts for the benefit of a spouse, and discuss some common hypotheticals for planning for these married couples.With intentional and holistic planning, married couples can thoughtfully prepare, plan and protect for their future, especially upon the death of the first of them to die.(NOTE: The instructor for this course, Brian Balduzzi, Esq., Tax LL.M., MBA, CFP, CEPA, AEP, IPA, was previously qualified as an instructor for NAPFA as instructor #150408, for course #C27698.)

This presentation provides education on succession planning as a core component of risk management and long-term estate planning for RIA owners. Attendees will learn how the absence of a clear succession strategy can create risks for clients, firm continuity, and enterprise value, and how to evaluate internal and external transition options through a planning lens.