Industry Insight from Fred Barstein
TRAU™ - The Retirement Advisor University™ at UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education Announces Special December East Coast Session

Last week, The Retirement Advisor University at UCLA Anderson Executive Education (TRAU™) conducted its 1^st open enrollment training session.  Held on the Westwood campus of the UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education Center, more than 60 enrolled advisors and industry professionals attended the inaugural session, which included speakers from various backgrounds including UCLA Anderson professors, highly accomplished DC advisors, and retirement industry experts.

Because of overwhelming demand and interest in the Certified 401(k) Professional - C(k)P™ designation  program offered through  TRAU™ , there will be a special East Coast “on-campus” session for new enrollees, December 8^th-10^th at the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach Florida.  This East Coast session will only be offered once per year and will run in conjunction with (although separately from) the DCPI 2010 conference, being held at the same location.  There are 50 seats available for this session.

TRAU is designed to fill a widening gap in the DC market.  As the 401kExchange Opportunity Index has revealed, sponsors are more interested in changing their advisor than their record keeper because they have realized which one will have a greater impact on them and their participants.  With 408(b)(2), sponsor awareness and sensitivity will only be heightened.  Yet it is difficult if not impossible for sponsors to easily identify which advisors are the true experts.  Though there is significant rigor behind attaining the Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P) designation, as well as experience requirements (10 plans, $30 million, AND 3 years), the real key is the association with a trusted and well known institution of higher learning.  Instantly, sponsors understand and get comfortable with a C(k)P designee – and we all know how much sponsors appreciate simplicity and saving time.

Most important, TRAU is a safe and unbiased platform for the industry to help train and promote advisors truly interested in helping sponsors and their participants to be more successful in retirement.  TRAU is funded by tuition only which can be subsidized by provider endowments and scholarships.  Overseen by UCLA Anderson Executive Education staff, the online, onsite, and related curriculum and training, combined with the practical experience requirements, will insure the integrity and rigor of the program.  The only hope for DC participants is a combination of behavioral economics, for which UCLA Anderson is famous, and experienced advisors.

Last week’s TRAU session agenda is detailed in the following downloadable PDF document.  It should give prospective students, advisors, and industry professionals alike an idea of the curriculum for the December 8^th & 10^th session.

To apply or learn more: Please visit www.trauniv.com and select the “apply” tab, or you may email Marcus Chandler at mchandler@trauniv.com.   

You may also email Marcus Chandler at mchandler@trauniv.com. Note that due to high interest in this program, advisors that apply will receive first priority in being contacted.

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