About the Course
Organizations today face increasing pressure to deliver retirement programs that are both cost-effective and capable of producing meaningful outcomes for a diverse workforce. This course moves beyond the basics of recordkeeping to focus on the strategic levers of plan success. You will learn to demonstrate capabilities in investment menu construction, fee transparency analysis, fiduciary risk mitigation, participant behavioral intervention, and vendor performance management. We utilize the Investment Policy Statement (IPS) as the central governance framework to ensure all decisions are documented and defensible. You will practice hands-on fee benchmarking and be introduced to the latest trends in retirement income solutions and digital financial wellness platforms.
The curriculum is designed to turn scattered administrative tasks into a structured governance system. You will learn to apply behavioral finance principles to auto-enrollment and auto-escalation features, evaluate the suitability of Target Date Funds (TDFs) versus custom portfolios, and navigate the complexities of multi-jurisdictional compliance. This course provides a concise path to mastery: you will learn to build a robust fiduciary file, design a participant communication roadmap, and implement a vendor oversight dashboard. This approach ensures that you can provide evidence-based recommendations to your investment committee or board of directors.
Target Audience
This program is designed for professionals responsible for the strategic direction, compliance, and daily operation of retirement savings programs.
This course is designed for:
- Pension Fund Manager responsible for investment menu selection
- Benefits Director overseeing global retirement plan strategy
- Retirement Plan Administrator managing daily recordkeeper operations
- HR Compliance Officer ensuring adherence to fiduciary standards
- Treasury Manager monitoring plan liquidity and funding
- Investment Consultant advising on Defined Contribution asset allocation
- Fiduciary Committee Member seeking to mitigate personal liability
- Total Rewards Specialist integrating retirement into wellness programs
- Internal Auditor reviewing pension plan governance and controls
- Legal Counsel specializing in employee benefits and ERISA-aligned principles
Course Objectives
This course equips you to design, manage, and report on retirement initiatives that improve participant outcomes, ensure regulatory compliance, and align with strategic organizational goals.
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
- Assess current plan design using the Plan Design Maturity Framework
- Apply behavioral finance principles to optimize auto-enrollment and escalation
- Construct a comprehensive Investment Policy Statement (IPS) for committee approval
- Develop a fee benchmarking report to evaluate recordkeeper value
- Evaluate Target Date Fund (TDF) glide paths against participant demographics
- Navigate fiduciary responsibilities using a structured Fiduciary Audit Checklist
- Implement measurable retirement readiness targets using plan-level KPIs
- Synthesize plan performance data into an executive-level governance dashboard
Requirements & Prerequisites
Participants should have at least three years of experience in human resources, finance, or benefits administration. A basic understanding of retirement plan terminology and financial markets is required. No programming knowledge is necessary, but proficiency in Excel for data analysis exercises is highly recommended.
Professional and Organizational Impact
When you lead Defined Contribution Plans with credible data and practical strategies, you become a trusted driver of financial security and organizational stability.
As a professional, you will benefit by:
- Build technical expertise in investment menu architecture
- Gain confidence in defending plan decisions to committees
- Strengthen your ability to manage complex vendor relationships
- Enhance your professional standing as a fiduciary expert
- Develop data-driven strategies for participant engagement
- Position yourself for senior leadership in total rewards
- Expand your knowledge of modern retirement income solutions
Organizations that embed Defined Contribution excellence into their benefits strategy reduce costs, mitigate risks, and build lasting competitive advantage.
Your organization will benefit from:
- Reduce fiduciary liability through documented governance processes
- Mitigate operational risk by improving recordkeeper oversight
- Optimize plan costs through rigorous fee benchmarking
- Improve workforce mobility by increasing retirement readiness
- Enhance employer brand through superior retirement offerings
- Ensure compliance with evolving global regulatory standards
- Strengthen corporate governance through transparent committee reporting
Training Methodology
This is a practical, outcome-driven course designed to turn retirement plan aspirations into measurable action and credible reporting.
Methodology includes:
- Hands-on fee analysis exercise using a standardized benchmarking template
- Scenario simulation involving a fiduciary breach and remediation plan
- Audit of a sample plan using a Fiduciary Governance Checklist
- Stakeholder mapping exercise for an Investment Committee reporting cycle
- Case study analysis of plan design in the tech and manufacturing sectors
- Group workshop to draft a custom Investment Policy Statement (IPS)
- Reflection exercise comparing current plan metrics against industry benchmarks
Upcoming Sessions
Next available dates worldwide
Certification
Recognized credentials that advance your career
Participants who complete the Managing Defined Contribution Plans Training Program earn a Trainingcred Certificate of Achievement, demonstrating professional competence and alignment with global standards in learning and development.
NITA Accredited
Accredited by the National Industrial Training Authority, ensuring programs meet nationally recognized standards of quality and relevance.
CPD Certified
Recognized by the CPD Certification Service, ensuring every program meets internationally benchmarked standards of professional excellence.
Why this course earns its place on your CV
Accredited training, practitioner trainers, and peers on the same career track — the three things real expertise is built on.
Effective Learning & Skill Development
- Build expertise with structured, outcome-driven learning.
- Equip individuals and teams with skills that grow with industry needs.
- Reinforce learning through real-world scenarios, case studies and practical exercises.
Career Growth & Professional Advancement
- Apply what you learn with a proven methodology that ensures lasting impact.
- Develop immediately usable skills that translate directly into workplace success.
- Gain the expertise needed for career advancement and leadership roles.
Training Optimization & Learning Excellence
- Tailor training to industry-specific challenges and organizational goals.
- Use data-driven insights and automation to enhance training effectiveness.
- Evaluate progress and ensure long-term learning success.
Industry Tools and Platforms Featured in this Training
The platforms and vendors local teams are running today — taught against real configurations, not generic vendor demos.
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Workplace by Fidelity Fidelity InvestmentsUsed by U.S. employers to administer 401(k) and other defined contribution plans, including recordkeeping, investment lineup management, and participant education tools.
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Vanguard Retirement Plan Access The Vanguard Group, Inc.Provides recordkeeping, low-cost investment menus, and plan design support for U.S. defined contribution plans, particularly for small and mid-sized employers.
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Empower Retirement Platform Empower Annuity Insurance Company of AmericaOffers defined contribution recordkeeping, fiduciary tools, and participant engagement solutions to U.S. plan sponsors.
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Alight Defined Contribution Administration Alight Solutions LLCProvides outsourced administration, compliance support, and digital participant experiences for large U.S. defined contribution plans.
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NEPC Fiduciary Investment Consulting NEPC, LLCUsed by U.S. plan sponsors seeking independent investment consulting for DC plan menu construction, fee benchmarking, and fiduciary oversight.
