Foundations of Pension Plans

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: QAFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Understanding


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.

  • Identify the types of pension plans available in Canada.
    • Public Pension Plans
    • Registered Pension Plans (RPP)
  • Identify the public pension plans that exist in Canada.
    • Canada Pension Plan (CPP)†
    • Old Age Security Pension (OAS)††
  • Define types of Registered Pension Plans.
    • Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Plan
    • Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Plan†††
  • Identify the parties to a registered pension plan.
    • Pension plan member - employee
    • Pension plan sponsor - employer
    • Pension plan administrator / trustee
    • Pension plan committee
  • Explain the role of each of the parties to a registered pension plan.
  • Explain the party who assumes the risk associated with a pension entitlement.
  • Identify the party who makes the investment decisions related to a pension.
  • Explain the pension contribution arrangements associated with registered pension plans.
    • Mandatory
    • Voluntary
    • Contributory
    • Non-contributory
  • Define vesting.
  • Explain the attributes of a registered pension plan, such as:
    • Allowable contributions
    • Vesting provisions
    • Retirement benefits
    • Survivor benefits
    • Transferability of benefits
    • Termination options
  • Identify the events that may lead a registered pension plan member to contemplate their benefit entitlement, such as:
    • Retirement
    • Divorce / separation / relationship breakdown
    • Termination of pension plan membership
      •  Termination of employment
      •  Death
    • Termination of the pension plan
  • Explain the entitlements of a registered pension plan member upon termination of plan membership.
    • For a non-contributory plan in which the plan member is vested
    • For a contributory plan in which the plan member is vested
    • For a non-contributory plan in which the plan member is not yet vested
    • For a contributory plan in which the member is vested

† Information on the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is found in the Government Benefits section of the Technical Knowledge.†† Information on Old Age Security is found in the Government Benefits section of the Technical Knowledge.††† Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPP), Deferred Profit-Sharing Plans (DPSP) and Specified Pension Plans (SPP) are all forms of defined contribution pension plans. These plans are each covered under their own sections.

KNOWLEDGE EXPECTED OF: CFP® Professionals

Highest Knowledge Level: Understanding


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.

  • Identify the types of pension plans available in Canada.
    • Public Pension Plans
    • Registered Pension Plans (RPP)
  • Identify the public pension plans that exist in Canada.
    • Canada Pension Plan (CPP)†
    • Old Age Security Pension (OAS)††
  • Define types of Registered Pension Plans.
    • Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Plan
    • Defined Contribution (DC) Pension Plan†††
  • Identify the parties to a registered pension plan.
    • Pension plan member  ̶  employee
    • Pension plan sponsor  ̶  employer
    • Pension plan administrator / trustee
    • Pension plan committee
  • Explain the role of each of the parties to a registered pension plan.
  • Explain the party who assumes the risk associated with a pension entitlement.
  • Identify the party who makes the investment decisions related to a pension.
  • Explain the pension contribution arrangements associated with registered pension plans.
    • Mandatory
    • Voluntary
    • Contributory
    • Non-contributory
  • Define vesting.
  • Explain the attributes of a registered pension plan, such as:
    • Allowable contributions
    • Vesting provisions
    • Retirement benefits
    • Survivor benefits
    • Transferability of benefits
    • Termination options
  • Identify the events that may lead a registered pension plan member to contemplate their benefit entitlement, such as:
    • Retirement
    • Divorce / separation / relationship breakdown
    • Termination of pension plan membership
      •  Termination of employment
      •  Death
    • Termination of the pension plan
  • Explain the entitlements of a registered pension plan member upon termination of plan membership.
    • For a non-contributory plan in which the plan member is vested
    • For a contributory plan in which the plan member is vested
    • For a non-contributory plan in which the plan member is not yet vested
    • For a contributory plan in which the member is vested 

† Information on the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is found in the Government Benefits section of the Technical Knowledge.†† Information on Old Age Security is found in the Government Benefits section of the Technical Knowledge.††† Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPP), Deferred Profit Sharing Plans (DPSP) and Specified Pension Plans (SPP) are all forms of defined contribution pension plan. These plans are each covered under their own sections.