The Standard of Excellence in Employee Benefits Presented by: Wayne Murphy, CEBS (The PBAS Group) ISCEBS, Toronto Chapter - Fundamentals May, 2011

What is CEBS? Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) is a professional designation that offers certification choices in three distinct areas of specialization – Group Benefits (GBA), Retirement Plans (RPA) and Compensation Management (CMS)

CEBS Co-Sponsors Dalhousie University – responsible for the academic standards of CEBS The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans – responsible for program administration Industry Experts – integral to ensuring currency, accuracy and relevance of the curriculum and exams **University-based curriculum distinguishes CEBS from other designations

Are There Good Prospects in the Benefits and Retirement Industry? Yes! For example: The centre of the financial services industry in Canada is the Toronto Region, housing 28.6% of the nation’s financial services employees. Toronto is home to: 2 of the largest 10 global life insurers, plus a third with significant operations in Toronto 3 of the world’s largest 25 banks and Canada’s 5 largest banks 3 of the top 50 global pension funds 4 of the 5 largest investment management firms in Canada A major objective of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA) created in 2001 with the mandate of actively promoting and advocating for growth of Toronto’s Financial Services Industry as a North American centre is to become a global leader in retirement financing solutions. Source: An Action Plan by The Boston Consulting Group for The Toronto Financial Services Working Group, November 2009

Are There Good Prospects in the Benefits and Retirement Industry? Yes! For example: The Canadian life and health insurance industry: Is highly competitive with 96 life and health insurance companies Provides a wide range of financial security products to more than 26 million Canadians and other dependants including group life insurance, supplementary health insurance and various retirement vehicles like RRSPs and pensions. Employs in total, over 312,900 Canadians with more than 55,600 working full time in Canada. Source: Canadian Life and Health Insurance Facts, 2010 Edition

Who Takes CEBS? Professionals operating in group benefits, group retirement and/or compensation servicing employers/plan sponsors Staff in Association Plans, Multiemployer Plans, Public Employee Plans, Single Employer Plans Service Providers from Insurance, HR, Compensation and Benefits Consulting, Third Party HR and Benefits Administration, Investment Management, Legal, Accounting, Actuarial, Financial Planner Advisors

How Can CEBS Help? In today’s increasingly complex business world, one of the keys to success is being better prepared than your competition Employers are looking to fill jobs with individuals who are knowledgeable and skilled Certifications are a valid and reliable way to demonstrate professionals and practical knowledge

How Can CEBS Help? CEBS offers a career-long relationship: Credentials in all areas of total compensation Professional Code of Conduct Professional Continuing Education credit Professional association membership

CEBS – Certified Employee Benefit Specialist GBA – Group Benefits Associate RPA - Retirement Plans Associate CMS – Compensation Management Specialist Four Credentials for Benefits and Compensation ProfessionalsGBA CMS RPA CEBS

Certified Employee Benefit Specialist Six Required Courses & Two Electives Required Courses – complete all six: GBA 1 – Principles of Group Benefits GBA 2 – Applications of Group Benefits RPA 1 – Retirement Income Programs RPA 3 – Government-Sponsored Benefits CMS 1 – Compensation Concepts and Principles CMS 3 – Human Resources Management Elective Courses – complete two: GBA 3 – Health Care Economics RPA 2 – Asset Management CMS 2 – Executive Compensation Management ®

Group Benefits Associate Specialty Credential Ideal for those working with life, health and other group benefits plans. Courses reflect information relevant to effectively design, administer and communicate group benefit plans. Complete These CEBS Courses: GBA 1 – Principles of Group Benefits GBA 2 – Applications of Group Benefits GBA 3 – Health Care Economics and Issues GBA

Retirement Plans Associate Specialty Credential Ideal for those working with pension plans, government- sponsored plans or involved in the management of plan assets. Courses reflect information relevant to effectively design and manage group retirement plans. Complete These CEBS Courses: RPA 1 – Retirement Income Programs RPA 2 – Asset Management RPA 3 – Government-Sponsored Benefits RPA

CMS Compensation Management Specialist Specialty Credential Complete These CEBS Courses: CMS 1 – Compensation Concepts and Principles CMS 2 – Executive Compensation Management CMS 3 – Human Resource Management Ideal way to showcase your expertise in the human resource and compensation area. Courses cover human resources, compensation design and administration and executive compensation.

How Can You Prepare for CEBS Exams? Independent Study Formal Classes On-line Classes

What Are the Exams Like? 2-Hour Timed Exam 100 Questions Multiple Choice Format 70% Correct to Pass Exam Offered Twice Per Year

What Will It Cost? GBA - $1,800 RPA - $1,900 CMS - $2,000 CEBS - $4,900 Above costs are approximates only and are based upon self studying the courses. Does not include shipping charges or HST and/or GST taxes.

How Do You Get Started When You’re Ready? Register Order Study Materials Apply for Exam

Life After CEBS: International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS) Professional association dedicated to CEBS graduates, GBA, RPA,CMS designees and CEBS students International industry resources and networking Local chapter affiliations ListServe and publications Continuing education opportunities Local Chapter educational programs Fellowship course and exam Focused on recent developments and trends in group benefits, retirement and compensation Offers special “CEBS Fellow” distinction

My Objective Today Open the door to some career opportunities you may not have considered before Show how a professional credential like CEBS can provide career-long value Leave you with the information you need to explore whether this a good fit for you

Questions?

The Standard of Excellence in Employee Benefits