IRA Success
Ed Slott & Company's IRA Success
Best For
Financial advisors seeking mastery of IRA distribution planning
Timing
12 Hours
Format
Train with America’s IRA Expert and get unparalleled planning knowledge. Learn more below.
100% Virtual
Tuition
Starting at
$205/course
Full 12-course program available for $2,195
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Experience the New Version
Master IRA Planning With Help From America’s IRA Experts
Get the latest in regulatory updates, beneficiary and payout rules, IRA management, Roth IRA strategies, and more with IRA Success. Join Professor of Practice Ed Slott, CPA, for a preview of the IRA Success Program today!
IRA Success Program at a Glance
Course Delivery
Complete the entire program in as few as 12 hours through The College’s Knowledge Offerings Learning Management System and earn 27.5 continuing education credits towards the CFP® and/or College PRP. Each course includes a 50-minute on-demand video presentation and accompanying resources to support knowledge retainment and client conversations.
Ed Slott and Company’s IRA Success learners who complete the entire program are currently approved for the American College Professional Recertification (PRP) CE, CFP® CE, and State Insurance CE. CE credit for individual courses varies. For more information please refer to the “Additional Details” tab above.
What You'll Learn
Stay up to date on new legislation and tax rules impacting IRAs over 12 one-hour courses. With the new 2024 version, get the latest information on the complicated SECURE Act 2.0 provisions that go into effect this year.
When planned out and used properly, IRAs are powerful retirement and estate planning vehicles, and clients are looking for the proper guidance in drawing down their assets.
Your learning outcomes include:
- Recognize and avoid costly errors made by other advisors, CPAs, and estate planning attorneys
- Apply IRA planning insights that will help your clients protect and grow their retirement savings
- Implement IRA knowledge through a demonstrated action plan to build your business
Tuition
Program tuition can be paid on a per-course basis or packaged together at a reduced rate. Tuition covers your course fees, final assessment, and course materials and resources, including:
- Downloadable, easy-to-follow content
- Video presentations on the latest IRA laws, rules, and strategies
- In-depth course manuals called a “goldmine” by industry peers
- Robust resources, including charts, step-by-step action plans, and tax tables
You have a 12-month window to complete the program coursework and prepare for the final assessment.
Individual course: $205
Full 12-course program: $2,195
Additional Details
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
There are no prerequisite courses required to enroll in Ed Slott and Company’s IRA Success.
CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Ed Slott and Company’s IRA Success is currently approved for the following continuing education credit:
American College Professional Recertification (PRP): Designee will receive 27.5 credits for successfully completing the program requirements for the entire program (CE163). CE credit for individual courses varies. Credit hours can go toward PRP continuing education requirements for CAP®, CASL®, ChFC®, ChSNC®, CLF®, CLU®, FSCP®, RICP®, and WMCP® designee holders. For more information, visit The College’s recertification webpage.
CFP®: Students will receive 27.5 credits for successfully completing the program requirements for the entire program (CE163). CE credit for individual courses varies. Individual courses are approved for the following CFP® CE credit.
Individual courses are approved for the following CFP® CE credit.
Course-Approved PRP/ CFP® CE Credit:
| CE 151: Navigating the CARES and SECURE Acts | 1.0 |
| CE 152: Planning for the End of the Stretch IRA | 1.5 |
| CE 153: IRA Beneficiary Examples, Mistakes, and Checklists | 2.0 |
| CE 154: 25 IRA Rules You Must Know, Part One | 2.5 |
| CE 155: 25 IRA Rules You Must Know, Part Two | 2.5 |
| CE 156: IRA Rules You Must Know, Part Three | 3.5 |
| CE 157: Roth IRAs: Conversions, 3 Questions to Ask, Estate Planning | 1.5 |
| CE 158: Roth 401(k) Rules / IRA Update and Tax Planning Strategies | 2.5 |
| CE 159: Naming Trusts as IRA Beneficiaries, Part One | 1.5 |
| CE 160: Naming Trusts as IRA Beneficiaries, Part Two | 2.0 |
| CE 161: Advising Clients on Key Rollover Decisions | 2.5 |
| CE 162: Estate and Life Insurance Planning with IRAs | 1.5 |
Insurance Credit By State: State insurance CE is available to professionals who complete all 12 courses. Browse all programs and courses for more CE information.
To earn CE credit, a student must complete all requirements, which include watching the presentation(s) and successfully completing a multiple-choice exam that assesses the student's knowledge of the topics covered. The student must earn a score of 70% or higher to earn continuing education credit. For more information about the CE process, email CE@TheAmericanCollege.edu.
Students interested in joining Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM must successfully complete the entire program and earn a score of 70% or higher on the final assessment. The College has no affiliation with Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM. Please contact Ed Slott and Company directly at (800) 663-1340 or info@irahelp.com with any questions.
Why Enroll in IRA Success
49%
Of consumers cited a financial advisor’s level of education as one of the top three characteristics they seek.1
$5.7B
Is lost each year to 401(k) and IRA early withdrawal fees.2
45.6M
Households own Traditional or Roth IRAs, nearly 36% of total households.3
Ed Slott and Company’s IRA Success is Right For You If:
Inside Ed Slott and Company’s IRA Success
Courses to Complete
12
Typical Completion Time
12 Hours
CE 151 Navigating the SECURE Acts
This course provides an overview of the SECURE Acts.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Insight on how this legislation up-ended long-standing retirement rules
- Explore the Coronavirus-Related Distributions (CRDs), CRD income inclusion and repayment provisions, and the SECURE Act summary of key changes
CE 152 Planning for the End of the Stretch IRA
Examines planning for the end of the stretch IRA.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Learn and understand application of the 10-year rule
- Examine how the SECURE Act’s post-death payout rules will assist their beneficiary clients
CE 153 IRA Beneficiary Examples, Mistakes, and Checklists
Provides an overview of the foundational IRA beneficiary knowledge needed to achieve IRA success for financial professionals and their clients.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Identify the right questions to ask to avoid potential IRA beneficiary mistakes
CE 154 25 IRA Rules You Must Know (Part One)
The first of three courses dedicated to the 25 IRA rules every financial professional must know.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Understand the first 10 rules and essential IRA planning strategies
- Examine the RMD aggregation rules and the 5-year rule confusion after death
- Learn creditor protection for IRAs and Medicaid treatment of retirement accounts
CE 155 25 IRA Rules You Must Know (Part Two)
This course resumes the examination of the 25 IRA rules every financial professional must know.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Evaluate the 5-year rules for Roth IRAs
- Understand qualified domestic relations orders or QDROs, non-spouse beneficiary rollover rules
- In-depth examination of the 10% early distribution penalty exceptions, including cases and planning ideas
CE 156 25 IRA Rules You Must Know (Part Three)
The final course that is dedicated to the examination of the 25 IRA rules every financial professional must know.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Understand key information on splitting IRAs and spousal rollovers
- Examine tax breaks for IRA and plan beneficiaries, 60-day rollover relief, and correcting excess IRA contributions
CE 157 Roth IRAs: Conversions, 3 Questions to Ask, Estate Planning
Covers the ordering rules for the Roth IRA distributions.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Examine Roth IRA tax planning after the SECURE act
- Discuss three questions to ask in every Roth conversion evaluation and understand who should and who should not convert
- Evaluate application of estate planning with Roth IRA accounts
CE 158 Roth 401(k) Rules / IRA Update and Tax Planning Strategies
Provides an overview of Roth 401(k) planning and includes a review of the latest tax rule changes and planning opportunities
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Develop insight on the “mega back-door Roth” and evaluate contributions and distribution rules for a popular list of Roth company plans
- Topics also include: charitable IRA planning strategies using qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)
CE 159 Naming Trusts as IRA Beneficiaries (Part One)
The first of two courses on naming trusts as IRA beneficiaries.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Examine the basic IRA trust planning concepts
- Understand how to explain options to clients to determine the necessity of an IRA trust
- Learn how to set up an IRA trust and communicate with the beneficiary after the IRA owner’s death
CE 160 Naming Trusts as IRA Beneficiaries (Part Two)
The second of two courses on naming trusts as IRA beneficiaries.
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Understand and differentiate conduit vs. accumulation trusts
- Examine how to determine RMDs when a trust is the IRA beneficiary and how to avoid major IRA trust mistakes
- Evaluate how the SECURE Act effect on IRA trusts will be reinforced with practical examples
CE 161 Advising Clients on Key Rollover Decisions
Provides an overview of how to advise clients on key rollover decisions
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Cover how to use the SECURE Act to attract large IRA rollover clients
- Understand net unrealized appreciation (NUA) rules and strategies for employer stock
- Have a better understanding five NUA mistakes no one cannot afford to make
- Evaluate 72(t) rules for early IRA and plan distributions
- Examine 72(t) IRA rulings and court cases
CE 162 Estate and Life Insurance Planning with IRAs
Provides an overview on estate and life insurance planning with IRAs
Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- Explore using life insurance as a planning solution to replace the stretch IRA
- Examine how to plan for estate tax uncertainty
- Analyze the application of IRA strategies to increase insurance and annuity sales
CE 163 Ed Slott and Company’s IRA Success (All 12 Courses)
This 12-course program is dedicated to enriching the knowledge of financial professionals through applied, actionable education on the latest tax rules, laws, court cases, and IRA planning strategies so students can acquire the skills to successfully meet their clients' needs.
Program contains:
- A robust, action-oriented manual for each course and resource materials
- A video presentation from Ed Slott and his team of IRA experts
- Access to the most frequently asked questions on course topics
Complete all 12 courses listed — including CE 164, the comprehensive exam — to earn CE credit for CE 163.
The knowledge from The American College of Financial Services is incredible, and it has definitely elevated me in the eyes of my clients. The education speaks for itself.
Adam Saubel, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, ChSNC®, CAP®, CLTC®
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After completing IRA Success, you'll stand out with deep knowledge of IRA planning strategies and the latest tax rules and regulations impacting individual retirement accounts.
1 The American College of Financial Services Financial Security Consumer Study. 2022.
2 CNBC Make It Magazine, February 24, 2020.
3 The Role of IRAs in US Households’ Saving for Retirement, 2021. January 2022.