Segregated Funds

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: QAFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Evaluation


Knowledge Levels and Associated Verbs


Awareness
The state of being aware that something exists / to have familiarity with a particular activity or subject
Understanding
To comprehend the general relationship of particulars / to have an expertise with how something works
Application
Ability to put information to use / to use knowledge for relevant, practical purposes
Evaluation
To judge or conclude by utilizing data / a systematic determination of something’s worth or significance
Define
To state exactly the meaning of
Identify
To be aware of / to recognize and correctly name / to locate an appropriate resource
Explain
To make clear the meaning of / to describe something in more detail or reveal relevant facts or ideas related to it
Determine
To ascertain / to come to a decision, such as by investigation or reasoning
Compare
To note the similarities and differences between two or more things
Estimate
To determine an approximate value for
Calculate
To find the value using mathematics
Convert
To change from one form or purpose to another
Evaluate
To reach a conclusion or make a through careful study
Interpret
To give the meaning of / to construe or understand / to translate orally

Hold cursor over or click on each term to read its definition.

  • Define a segregated fund. 
  • Identify the purpose for which segregated funds may be used.
  • Identify that segregated funds require an insurance license for an individual to act in furtherance of a trade.
  • Identify that segregated funds must be approved by the insurance administrator of the province/territory in which they are traded. 
  • Identify that segregated funds are classified as individual variable insurance contracts. 
  • Determine how each of these factors may impact the suitability of a segregated fund:
    • Time horizon
    • Volatility
    • Risk tolerance
    • Investment objective
    • Financial situation
    • Personal situation
    • Income
    • Liquidity
    • Control
    • Tax impact
    • Investment management process
    • Economic cycle
    • Cost
    • Historical performance
    • Performance expectations
  • Evaluate how each of the factors may impact the suitability of a segregated fund.
  • Explain for whom a segregated fund may be suitable.
  • Explain parties to a segregated fund, such as:
    • Contract holder
    • Annuitant
    • Beneficiary
  • Explain that a segregated fund is a contract between the issuer and the holder of the contract.
  • Explain that segregated funds are offered via an information folder by insurance companies and fraternal organizations.
  • Explain types of sales charges that may be charged on a segregated fund, such as:
    • No-load
    • Low-load
    • Front-end
    • Back-end or deferred sales charge
  • Explain fees associated with segregated funds, such as:
    • Trailer fee
    • Management fee
    • Management expense ratio
    • Trading expense ratio
    • Early redemption fee
    • Switching fees
    • Operating expenses
    • Insurance premium
  • Explain how a segregated fund assigns notional units to the contract holder.
  • Explain the minimum regulatory duration and value guarantees for segregated fund holders.
    • Death benefit
    • Maturity benefit
  • Explain how resets may affect the guarantees of a segregated fund.
  • Explain how contributions / withdrawals may affect the guarantees of a segregated fund.
  • Explain potential protections of a segregated fund, such as:
    • Creditor protection
    • Probate avoidance
  • Explain the circumstances required for credit protection to be active for a segregated fund.
  • Explain how income earned by a segregated fund is handled when distributed to unitholders of the segregated fund.
    • For capital gains and losses
    • Time-weighted 
  • Explain the impact of an allocation of income from a segregated fund on the net asset value per unit (NAVPU).
  • Explain that the return of a segregated fund may be presented before the fund expenses have been deducted from the gross return of the fund. 
  • Define a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit plan.
  • Identify that a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit plan allows for potential capital growth through participation in the market, while guaranteeing a minimum withdrawal each year. 
  • Identify that minimum and maximum ages exist to invest in a guaranteed minimum withdrawal plan. 
  • Identify that resets to the guaranteed withdrawal may occur every three years, based on growth in the plan.
  • Identify that bonuses that increase the guaranteed withdrawal may be available for each year that a withdrawal does not occur.
  • Identify that resets and bonuses may increase the guaranteed withdrawal amount, but do not add to the market value of the plan. 
  • Identify that guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit plans may have death guarantees. 
  • Explain fees associated with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit plans, such as:
    • Trading expenses
    • Management expenses
    • Administration expenses
    • Insurance premiums
    • Guarantee premiums
    • Withdrawal fees
    • Sales charges

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: CFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Evaluation


Knowledge Levels and Associated Verbs


Awareness
The state of being aware that something exists / to have familiarity with a particular activity or subject
Understanding
To comprehend the general relationship of particulars / to have an expertise with how something works
Application
Ability to put information to use / to use knowledge for relevant, practical purposes
Evaluation
To judge or conclude by utilizing data / a systematic determination of something’s worth or significance
Define
To state exactly the meaning of
Identify
To be aware of / to recognize and correctly name / to locate an appropriate resource
Explain
To make clear the meaning of / to describe something in more detail or reveal relevant facts or ideas related to it
Determine
To ascertain / to come to a decision, such as by investigation or reasoning
Compare
To note the similarities and differences between two or more things
Estimate
To determine an approximate value for
Calculate
To find the value using mathematics
Convert
To change from one form or purpose to another
Evaluate
To reach a conclusion or make a through careful study
Interpret
To give the meaning of / to construe or understand / to translate orally

Hold cursor over or click on each term to read its definition.

  • Define a segregated fund. 
  • Identify the purpose for which segregated funds may be used.
  • Identify that segregated funds require an insurance license for an individual to act in furtherance of a trade.
  • Identify that segregated funds must be approved by the insurance administrator of the province/territory in which they are traded. 
  • Identify that segregated funds are classified as individual variable insurance contracts. 
  • Determine how each of these factors may impact the suitability of a segregated fund:
    • Time horizon
    • Volatility
    • Risk tolerance
    • Investment objective
    • Financial situation
    • Personal situation
    • Income
    • Liquidity
    • Control
    • Tax impact
    • Investment management process
    • Economic cycle
    • Cost
    • Historical performance
    • Performance expectations
  • Evaluate how each of the factors may impact the suitability of a segregated fund.
  • Explain for whom a segregated fund may be suitable.
  • Explain parties to a segregated fund, such as:
    • Contract holder
    • Annuitant
    • Beneficiary
  • Explain that a segregated fund is a contract between the issuer and the holder of the contract.
  • Explain that segregated funds are offered via an information folder by insurance companies and fraternal organizations.
  • Explain types of sales charges that may be charged on a segregated fund, such as:
    • No-load
    • Low-load
    • Front-end
    • Back-end or deferred sales charge
  • Explain fees associated with segregated funds, such as:
    • Trailer fee
    • Management fee
    • Management expense ratio
    • Trading expense ratio
    • Early redemption fee
    • Switching fees
    • Operating expenses
    • Insurance premium
  • Explain how a segregated fund assigns notional units to the contract holder.
  • Explain the minimum regulatory duration and value guarantees for segregated fund holders.
    • Death benefit
    • Maturity benefit
  • Explain how resets may affect the guarantees of a segregated fund.
  • Explain how contributions / withdrawals may affect the guarantees of a segregated fund.
  • Explain potential protections of a segregated fund, such as:
    • Creditor protection
    • Probate avoidance
  • Explain the circumstances required for credit protection to be active for a segregated fund.
  • Explain how income earned by a segregated fund is handled when distributed to unitholders of the segregated fund.
    • For capital gains and losses
    • Time-weighted 
  • Explain the impact of an allocation of income from a segregated fund on the net asset value per unit (NAVPU).
  • Explain that the return of a segregated fund may be presented before the fund expenses have been deducted from the gross return of the fund. 
  • Define a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit plan.
  • Identify that a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit plan allows for potential capital growth through participation in the market, while guaranteeing a minimum withdrawal each year. 
  • Identify that minimum and maximum ages exist to invest in a guaranteed minimum withdrawal plan. 
  • Identify that resets to the guaranteed withdrawal may occur every three years, based on growth in the plan.
  • Identify that bonuses that increase the guaranteed withdrawal may be available for each year that a withdrawal does not occur.
  • Identify that resets and bonuses may increase the guaranteed withdrawal amount, but do not add to the market value of the plan. 
  • Identify that guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit plans may have death guarantees. 
  • Explain fees associated with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit plans, such as:
    • Trading expenses
    • Management expenses
    • Administration expenses
    • Insurance premiums
    • Guarantee premiums
    • Withdrawal fees
    • Sales charges

Additional Knowledge Expected of CFP Professionals
  • Interpret the return for a segregated fund.
  • Explain the tax impact (based on asset location) of a segregated fund.
    • When an allocation of income is added to the contract
    • Upon disposition of the segregated fund
    • Upon death of the annuitant