Tuesday, June 29

11:00 – 11:50 am EST

Sponsored Sessions

12:00 – 1:00 pm EST

Exhibit Hall
Visit with sponsors at your convenience and chat live with expert solutions providers, watch demos or videos, download materials, or leave your contact information for follow-up.

1:00 – 1:50 pm EST

General Session 3: State of the Industry
State of the Industry according to the ARA, Impacts of COVID-19, Legislation Updates, Retirement Trends, and more.

Brian Graff, Chief Executive Officer, American Retirement Association

1:50 – 2:00 pm EST

Brain Break

2:00 – 2:50 pm EST

Workshops

Workshop 7: Debt Management
Are your clients in need of help to improve their credit score?  Do you have younger clients who need to know how to build their credit?  There are a lot of good intentions of helping others raise and establish their credit scores that are unfortunately not effective.  Hear from this credit expert on the fastest way to create and improve on credit scores.  Arm yourself with value added information that can greatly impact your client’s future.

Spencer Weitzel, Regional Manager, National Credit Care

Workshop 8: Alternative Compensation Models and their Successes

Workshop 9: Reading the Legislative Tea Leaves – Perspectives on Legislative Opportunities and Challenges
Join this dynamic panel discussion to get the perspective of an attorney, product provider, and a TPA on the current legislative environment and potential changes that could impact retirement plans and participants. The session will highlight key considerations and opportunities and how you can prepare your practice to navigate these changes.

Nancy Billings, CPFA, TGPC, VP of Compliance, Tax Deferred Solutions
Danny Miller
Teresa Ward, VP Marketing, Invesco

2:50 – 3:00 pm EST

Brain Break

3:00 – 3:50 pm EST

Workshops

Workshop 10: Your Best Online Presence – it’s not all social media
This session is designed to share best on-line practices. As we continue to navigate an environment where school visits may be disappearing for, we “non-essential” personnel, having a solid online presence for inbound inquiries and outbound digital marketing have become critical. Attendees will:

• Understand the basics of a website landing page and what should be included.

• The importance of why mobile design should be primary design.

• An overview of social media with suggestions on which may be right for you.

• Simple core tactics that will get you more names and more views.

• How not to look like every other financial advisor online.

Jason Hurwitz, CRES, Kades-Margolis
Mark Luckinbill, Executive Director NTSA, American Retirement Association

Workshop 11: ERISA 403(b) vs. ERISA 401(k), Which is Better? It depends!
Tax-exempt organizations have the choice of setting up either a 403(b) or a 401(k) plan. Ensuing questions posed by the employer will revolve around “which is better?” The real answer is – it depends!  This session will entail a title boxing match going 12 rounds…and may the best plan win! Attendees will learn about:

• The different rules in nondiscrimination testing.

• Late deferrals and even though these are not a desired result, that the better outcome is in the 403(b) Plan.

• Post-Employment Employer Contributions.

• How the overall contribution maximum differs between the 2 plans; and

• Most importantly how to answer the question, which plan is better!

Mark W. Heisler, Chief Executive Officer, ADMIN Partners LLC

Workshop 12: IRS/DOL audit approach in this changing work environment and impacts to EPCRS
COVID-19 will not just impact changes to businesses operations, it will also impact the IRS/DOL.  What are the current audit trends and initiatives in this environment? Join us to discuss the ever-changing world of IRS/DOL audits and best practices to mitigate audit risks. We will discuss self-correction with case-studies and how the Voluntary Correction Program is impacted by the new working environment.

Ed Salyers, QPA, Owner, Ed Salyers CPA

3:50 – 4:00 pm EST

Brain Break

4:00 – 4:50 pm EST

General Session 4: State of the Retirement Markets
We explore the differences, similarities, and opportunities of retirement markets beyond the 403b space. Charter schools and other small non-profits can make summer business for financial professionals and administrators—these markets tend to require less due diligence and may be a good bet to enhance and support an existing business or practice. Similarly, religious organizations are another segment to consider as they offer defined contribution plans specifically designed for their unique needs but are not subject to certain ERISA requirements, such as annual 5500 reporting. Lastly, healthcare organizations, including hospitals, medical centers, physician groups and more, require their own solutions that meet fiduciary obligations and specific cost and wellness goals. This session will provide some practical guidance on where to look and ideas on how to approach “one-client-at-a-time” to expand into new markets.

Robert J. Architect, VP Compliance & Market Strategy, AIG Retirement Services
Ellie A. Lowder, TGPC, TSA Consulting & Training
Ed Salyers, QPA, Owner, Ed Salyers CPA
Teresa Ward, Vice President Marketing, Invesco

5:00 – 6:00 pm EST

Virtual Hangouts

Wednesday, June 30

1:00 – 4:00 pm EST

Workshops

TGPC Cram Course
Ready to pass the TGPC Credential exam but need a final boost to get you there? Then this is the session for you! Join Sue Diehl, one of NTSA’s leading experts as she walks you through the most essential components of the TGPC content, including test-taking strategies as she prepares you to take the credential exam and be successful on your first attempt.

Participants should already be enrolled the TGPC Credential Program. Have not enrolled yet, enroll here.

CRES Recertification Course
CRES advisors are required to complete the annual CRES Recertification Course to maintain their certification and to reaffirm your commitment to the CRES standards and practices.

This year’s recertification course will focus on presentation skills. Not only will advisors learn how to present and feel more prepared in front of the group but how to do so in the virtual world as well. By attending the 2021 CRES Recertification course, advisors have the opportunity to complete the annual recertification at no additional cost – while also earning 2 hours of CFP CE!

CRES Bootcamp
Become an NTSA Certified Retirement Education Specialist (CRES) by attending this three-hour workshop and learn how to present the retirement literacy curriculum, overcome school access challenges, and motivate clients to achieve retirement security.  Advisors that complete the certificate program are eligible to present the NTSA Retirement Literacy Course in our nation’s schools and are listed on the NTSA registry of certified advisors.

Learn more about the CRES program here.