austin3515 Posted August 7 Posted August 7 I of course know about the ERISApedia and JH free webinars. I need more than I've been able to get through that. I do try and do the ASPPA spring/winter virtuals as well. Any other suggestions out there? I need this for ERPA designation. Austin Powers, CPA, QPA, ERPA
CuseFan Posted August 7 Posted August 7 Do you have free access to ASPPA's recorded on-demand webcasts? Although documentation is an issue from what I and at least one other person have experienced. Kenneth M. Prell, CEBS, ERPA Vice President, BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services kprell@bpas.com
austin3515 Posted August 7 Author Posted August 7 This one seems like a nice option. $199 a year. Not a ton of courses but I assume it gets refreshed. https://my-cpe.com/continuing-education/erpa Austin Powers, CPA, QPA, ERPA
austin3515 Posted August 7 Author Posted August 7 2 minutes ago, CuseFan said: Do you have free access to ASPPA's recorded on-demand webcasts? Although documentation is an issue from what I and at least one other person have experienced. No, I used to work for a TPA but not anymore... Austin Powers, CPA, QPA, ERPA
RatherBeGolfing Posted August 7 Posted August 7 The tricky part for ERPA CE is documentation. It sounds like IRS is getting more strict on CE that is not reported to the IRS directly (like ERISAPedia does). I do have some other sources that I recomend for staff or ASPPA CE where you can just self report. Nova does a decent amount of webinars https://nova401k.com/webinars/ austin3515 1
CuseFan Posted August 7 Posted August 7 That link you showed looks like a bargain, I'd say start the free trial and see if it lives up to expectations. austin3515 1 Kenneth M. Prell, CEBS, ERPA Vice President, BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services kprell@bpas.com
austin3515 Posted August 7 Author Posted August 7 2 minutes ago, RatherBeGolfing said: Nova does a decent amount of webinars https://nova401k.com/webinars/ Great tip! I'll definitely sign up for these! Austin Powers, CPA, QPA, ERPA
CuseFan Posted August 7 Posted August 7 1 minute ago, RatherBeGolfing said: IRS is getting more strict on CE You got that right! First they eliminate the requirement that an ERPA have a PTIN, which I and many others dropped because why go through the cost and trouble to keep renewing. Then well after that (years) they require program providers to report directly to IRS, using what, a PTIN of course. Now, a number of program providers do not give session attendees an ERPA-compliant CPE certificate that includes the IRS program number, and IRS will not accept such deficient documentation. I had to beg ERISApedia for an ERPA compliant certificate because I registered w/o a PTIN. At this stage of my career and ERPA cycle, it's not worth getting another PTIN. I think IRS is trying to accelerate ERPA extinction through forced attrition rather than natural retirement. Sorry, I haven't had a good rant in a while and was overdue! Kenneth M. Prell, CEBS, ERPA Vice President, BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services kprell@bpas.com
austin3515 Posted August 7 Author Posted August 7 I absolutely track my CPE but it is self-reporting the total number of credits in the cycle. Are they really expending a lot of entry reviewing the 300 of us who still have it? Seems like it would be a ridiculous waste of resources. [I am sure it is more than 300 but I assume not by much since they closed it off to new applicants.] Austin Powers, CPA, QPA, ERPA
CuseFan Posted August 7 Posted August 7 7 minutes ago, austin3515 said: Are they really expending a lot of entry reviewing the 300 of us who still have it? Be prepared! I've had my ERPA since 2010, renewing in 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2024 based on CPE for the 3 years prior cycle. In every renewal except the last one in 2024 for the 2021-2023 cycle, I self reported w/o issue. Last time I get an email from IRS saying there isn't documentation for my credits and I need to provide ERPA-compliant certificates for all the sessions I attended those prior 3 years. Most of my credits were satisfied with ASPPA recorded sessions for which I got certificates but which were not ERPA compliant. I had to go to ASPPA and ask that they re-issue about 30 CPE certificates in ERPA-compliant form (needed IRS program number) - and now I've heard they aren't too keen on doing that. Then I package everything up and submit only to be told that I'm short credits because I had 3 Ethics credits each year and they only count 2. Nowhere in the renewal instructions or Circular 230 did it say at least 66 non-ethics credits and 6 ethics credits in a 3-year cycle - it said at least 72 credits of which at least 2 each year must be ethics. So I had to attend a couple sessions in 2024 to apply to the 2021-2023 cycle, which won't count for 2024-2026 but, to be honest, I'm done and letting it lapse. I work with enough enrolled actuaries and we have other ERPAs, I don't need the aggravation. I know another one of our forum contributors was going through similar scrutiny and dickering with ASPPA for compliant documentation. I feel sorry for those of you who really need to maintain that designation for your practice. Sorry - rant part deux. Kenneth M. Prell, CEBS, ERPA Vice President, BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services kprell@bpas.com
austin3515 Posted August 7 Author Posted August 7 For sure if that happened to me I would also let it lapse. Perhaps now that the IRS has been DOGE'ed that won;t happen... Austin Powers, CPA, QPA, ERPA
CuseFan Posted August 8 Posted August 8 We'll see - usually it's the services and oversight we want that gets cut and what we wouldn't mind seeing wither away remains! Kenneth M. Prell, CEBS, ERPA Vice President, BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services kprell@bpas.com
Gilmore Posted August 8 Posted August 8 I've relied mainly on ASPPA Spring and Winter virtuals and ERISApedia as mentioned earlier, and do not bother with any program that does not automatically report my credit to the IRS. ASPPA is expensive, no doubt about it. I know someone several years ago (just after they stopped issuing new ERPAs) who forgot to go through the renewal process even though he had the credits and the IRS would not reinstate. Being the only ERPA in the office I'm overly cautious about maintaining my status and so pony up for the CE when necessary. My issue right now is the IRS keeps telling me they mailed my renewal card (up this year) and I never get it. We've verified the address three times now. At least they were willing to email me a letter saying my renewal was good to 2028 but I'd still like to have the card and feel legit.
RatherBeGolfing Posted August 11 Posted August 11 On 8/8/2025 at 5:10 PM, Gilmore said: My issue right now is the IRS keeps telling me they mailed my renewal card (up this year) and I never get it. HA! I I think I have received one card out of all the renewals I have done. For some reason I never get them, and we have confirmed addresses several times. They sure send it to the right place if I owe money though
Paul I Posted August 11 Posted August 11 The only reason I have left for keeping my ERPA designation active is not that compelling. I use it in the rare circumstance where I get Power of Attorney to be able to speak directly with the IRS without having to coordinate every contact through a relatively inaccessible client. The most compelling for maintaining any credential is it is enough incentive to keep current on what is happening in our ever-evolving retirement plan universe. Frankly, participating in discussions here on BenefitsLink often proves more valuable than too many of the courses that offer CPE credits.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now