Retirement Compensation Agreement (RCA)

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.


Additional Knowledge Expected of CFP Professionals
  • Define a retirement compensation agreement.
  • Identify the purpose for which a retirement compensation agreement may be used.
  • Explain the advantages of a retirement compensation agreement, such as:
    • Larger retirement income may be provided than pension plan
    • Contributions in excess of Registered Retirement Savings Plan allowances
    • Creditor protection
  • Define the parties to a retirement compensation agreement.
    • Employer
    • Beneficiary
    • Trustee
    • Canada Revenue Agency
  • Explain the tax treatment of retirement compensation agreements.
    • Contributions
    • Refundable tax treatment
    • Income earned in the plan
    • Income received by employee from the plan
  • Explain the treatment of a retirement compensation agreement upon death.
    • For the retirement compensation agreement member
    • For the retirement compensation agreement’s spouse