ASPPA Launches Association Focused on Plan Advisors
Organization To Provide Unified Voice for Retirement Plan Advisors
ARLINGTON, VA., (September 29, 2011)— The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) today announced the launch of The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) to meet the growing needs of advisors working in the 401(k) market.
NAPA is structured as a professional society exclusively focused on advisors serving employer-sponsored retirement plans. Advisors will benefit from advocacy, business intelligence, and networking designed to help them succeed and stay abreast of emerging industry trends and best practices.
“First and foremost, NAPA is about advocacy. Unfortunately Washington policymakers underestimate the role plan advisors play in the retirement industry. The recent debates over uniform fiduciary standards, fee disclosure, and the definition of investment advice under ERISA are examples of current issues in play here in D.C. Given our economic uncertainty and the debate over the future of 401(k) plans, there has never been a more important time for retirement plan advisors to provide a unified and strong voice on these issues,” said Brian Graff, executive director and CEO of ASPPA.
Besides advocacy, NAPA members will have access to webcasts, newsletters, government affairs briefing calls, industry expertise for their practice and clients, and registration discounts for the annual conference for advisors—The ASPPA 401(k) SUMMIT. Although membership in NAPA is individual—organizations and firms can join by becoming a NAPA firm partner. Eligible firms include broker-dealers, RIAs, product providers, recordkeepers, as well as companies that provide support and services for plan advisors.
“Any advisor who provides investment advice or consulting to retirement plans should consider membership with NAPA. Brokers, RIAs, product vendors, recordkeepers, and even attorneys will benefit from joining. This is your way to stay close to the debate—get involved and make your voice heard. Think of NAPA as a source for business intelligence you can’t get anywhere else,” said Marcy L. Supovitz, NAPA president and principal of Boulay Donnelly & Supovitz Consulting Group, Inc.
NAPA will launch its first complimentary Washington Advisor Update webcast featuring Brian Graff on October 12. Registration is available here.
For more information on NAPA visit www.asppa.org/napa
# # #
The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) is an affiliate organization of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA). NAPA was created by and for retirement plan advisors with a specific purpose—to provide plan advisors with greatly needed advocacy, business intelligence and superior networking opportunities. Membership is open to all retirement plan advisors and support personnel. NAPA’s mission is to be a leader in the evolution of the national retirement system to improve transparency, effectiveness, and governance in an effort to improve the retirement outcome and security for participants. For more information, visit www.asppa.org/napa .
The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) is a national organization of more than 7,500 retirement plan and benefits professionals that serves as the educator, voice, and advocate for the employer-based retirement system. ASPPA members are administrators, actuaries, advisors, attorneys, accountants, and other financial services professionals who provide consulting and administrative services for qualified retirement plans. ASPPA is based in Arlington, Virginia, and has 17 regional ASPPA benefits councils (ABCs) providing local retirement plan employee benefit professionals with opportunities to participate in ASPPA activities in their local communities. www.asppa.org
Category: Latest News
