Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®)

Designation at a Glance

Tuition

$995 per class or purchase a three-course package for $2,450

Timing

Complete in 12 months or less

Format

100% online, self-study

Learning Outcomes

The 18 major risks clients face in retirement, including:

Strategies for Social Security claiming in an increasingly uncertain entitlement environment
Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance choices for senior clients who will need long-term care
Estate and legacy planning for families and small business owners who want to pass on their success to the next generation
Choosing the right retirement savings solution as 401(k)s and other vehicles continue to change

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What is the RICP^® Designation?

The Retirement Income Certified Professional^® (RICP^®) program empowers financial professionals with the knowledge they need to become experts in today's fast-growing retirement planning market. It is an extensive and intensive retirement income education that covers all retirement income styles and strategies, straight from the nation's top thought leaders.

The accredited RICP^® program is tailored for financial professionals seeking to specialize in the retirement income planning field through an online, self-study format that allows you to move through lessons at your own pace to suit your busy schedule.

With the RICP^® program, you will gain the skills to build sustainable, holistic retirement plans, delivering unbeatable value for your clients and becoming a sought-after counselor with valuable, and valued, expertise.

Upon completion, you will be a certified financial advisor with a robust toolkit to serve your clients. These tools include estate planning techniques, portfolio assessment, personal finance best practices, health expense budget creation, home equity strategies, and more.

Why Choose The RICP^®?

Constructed by 45+ top retirement planning experts

96% of designees say their RICP^® education helps them better serve clients

51% of designees say they’re earning more than those without the RICP^®

No educational prerequisites other than a high school diploma or the equivalent

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Hear From Kristin Shea, RICP^®

Program Details

Educational Requirements

There are no prerequisite courses required before you can begin the RICP® program other than a high school diploma or the equivalent, but three years of experience in financial planning or a related profession ARE required to use the designation.

To receive the RICP® designation, you must:

Successfully complete the three required courses
Agree to comply with The American College Code of Ethics and Procedures

Participation in the annual Professional Recertification Program (PRP) is required to maintain the designation. For more information, see our Continuing Education (CE) FAQ and PRP pages.

Tuition & Fees

Individual course: $995

Three-course package: $2,450

Tuition covers all course fees, your final exam, and course materials:

Downloadable companion content for easy following
Video lectures on retirement income and financial planning
Expert interviews with retirement planning professionals
Practice exams to test your understanding of material
Assessment questions to evaluate your learning progress

Program tuition can be paid on a per-course basis, or packaged together with three or more courses at a reduced rate (as shown above). In addition, we are proud to offer scholarship opportunities for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and spouses, as well as African American financial professionals and other qualifying groups.

Annual participation in the Professional Recertification Program (PRP).

RICP^® Curriculum

Required Courses

HS 353 Retirement Income Process, Strategies and Solutions

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Understand the steps in creating an effective retirement income plan
Identify retirement income needs, objectives, and goals by evaluating the clients current situation
Determine how to choose the appropriate retirement income strategy for your clients
Evaluate income tax, estate issues, retirement risks, and other threats to an effective retirement income plan
Integrate risk management tools, products, and strategies to create an effective retirement income plan

HS 354 Sources of Retirement Income

The second of the program's three courses explores sources of retirement income in depth. After completion, you should be able to:

Recommend the optimal age to claim Social Security benefits as appropriate for each client's situation
Help the client evaluate the factors to consider when determining an appropriate retirement age
Understand the role of annuities in a retirement income plan
Have a better understanding of how executive benefits and retirement benefits for federal and military employees fit into the plan
Understand the different ways that life insurance can be used in planning and how to address the retirement needs of the small business owner
Understand how to build a retirement income portfolio
Become more familiar with the latest research on strategies for ensuring that retirement assets last a lifetime

HS 355 Managing the Retirement Income Plan

The third course in the RICP® series focuses on initial and ongoing retirement income plan management. This knowledge will help you:

Choose the appropriate tax-efficient distribution options from a retirement plan
Help a client create a health expense budget and navigate the many decisions regarding Medicare and other health care options
Help a client prepare for their long-term care needs
Navigate retirement housing decisions and address home equity strategies
Identify the key ethical issues in retirement income planning
Create and manage retirement income portfolios appropriate for each clients situation

Program Faculty

Eric T. Ludwig

RICP^® Program Director

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Steve Parrish

Adjunct Professor of Advanced Planning

Co-Director of the American College Center for Retirement Income

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Ed Slott

Professor of Practice

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Martin L. Bretz

Adjunct Instructor of RICP courses

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Ruthann M. Driscoll

Adjunct Professor

CFP^® Certification Education, ChFC^®, and RICP^®Programs

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Barry S. Feigenbaum

Adjunct Faculty

RICP^® IRP-WIRP Instructor

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FAQs

How long will it take to earn the RICP^®?

Students should expect to spend 5-8 hours per week for each of the three courses in the RICP^® program. Each course contains 14 weeks worth of material. This program can be completed in 12 months through continuous enrollment.

How much time will I have to complete RICP^® courses?

Upon enrolling in each RICP^® course, students are given a four-month window to complete the course, plus the remainder of the month in which they enrolled. There is no deadline on how long you have to complete all three courses.

Are all fees for the RICP^® included in the cost?

Tuition includes all fees, exams, and course materials. For a complete listing, view the Tuition & Fees section.

Do you offer payment plans for RICP^® students?

Program tuition can be paid on a per-course basis, or packaged together as a program for a reduced rate. To see our current tuition rate and options, view the Pricing section.

Do you offer discounts on the RICP^® for veterans?

We are proud to offer scholarship opportunities for qualifying active-duty military personnel, veterans, and spouses. For more information, visit our Center for Veterans Affairs.

What requirements are needed to begin taking courses for the RICP^®?

There are no prerequisites required to take RICP® courses other than a high school diploma or the equivalent; you may begin at any time. However, in order to be awarded the designation, you must have at least three years of experience in financial planning or a related profession.

How do I enroll in the RICP^®?

To enroll in the RICP® program, contact an admissions advisor at 888-795-6306 or click here to begin our online enrollment process.

How many CE credits will I receive for the RICP^®?

The CE credit value of RICP® courses depends upon your individual state. For more information, see our CE Credit Listing page or check your state’s guidelines.

How many questions are on RICP^® exams?

Each course in the RICP^® program has a 2-hour exam with 100 multiple choice questions.

How is testing being handled during COVID-19?

Testing is continuing under approved conditions at Pearson VUE testing centers. View our COVID FAQ page for the latest updates on exam scheduling, testing windows, and processes.

Are there annual fees to maintain my RICP^® certification?

The College’s annual fee for the Professional Recertification Program (PRP) is $140 for client-facing advisors and $55 for non-client facing professionals, and covers all your designations earned from The American College of Financial Services. The recertification fee is paid in advance during the last quarter of the recertification year, by December 31, and will cover the following calendar year. Payment can be made through your online account with The College.

For more information, see our full listing of PRP FAQs.