THE KNOWLEDGE GAP
Why Most Advisors Fall Short
A general financial planning education can help clients address basic concerns — but as you seek to grow your career and expand your business, clients aren’t going to be satisfied with only surface-level knowledge.
Nearly six in 10 financial professionals offering retirement income planning services demonstrate only a basic or intermediate level of proficiency in those skills.1
1The American College of Financial Services. Advisor Expertise Study. 2026.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Get True Retirement Planning Expertise
Clients can't guess their way through the next 30 years, and many of them have significant assets in need of management. An advisor who promises and delivers advanced services is well-positioned to grow their business with thousands of older Americans seeking retirement planning guidance.
62% of clients working with advisors with advanced retirement planning expertise are high-net-worth individuals or families.2
2The American College of Financial Services. Advisor Expertise Study. 2026.
THE SOLUTION
Become an RICP®
The Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) is the most comprehensive and practical program for retirement income planning education available today.
Features 45+ of the nation’s leading retirement experts
In-depth insights into Social Security, long-term care, and taxes
Applied, practical knowledge you can use right away
Flexible online learning for the on-the-go professional
Help clients avoid costly and irrevocable mistakes and achieve peace of mind with a designation of distinction in retirement income planning — and a proven track record of success.
RICP® designees report 26% higher growth in earnings — likely because 91% see a notable impact on their ability to help clients with retirement planning goals.3
3FUSE Research Network. The American College of Financial Services Designation Outcomes Study. 2024. Growth comparison based on reported three-year period compared to professionals without designations.
“The difference between having a $900,000 nest egg and having maybe more than $3 million in the bank can sometimes be as simple as a few small adjustments — and that’s the knowledge the RICP® designation has given me.”
—Terry Parham, Jr., MSFP, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, WMCP®, TPCP®
ChFC® and CFP® Professionals: Get Expertise Even Faster
- ChFC® and CFP® holders who add the RICP® designation see up to 25% higher growth in their number of clients and up to 20% higher growth in earnings.4
- Advisors with multiple College designations score five points higher on our Advisor Expertise Index than those with no designations, and four points higher than those with only one designation.5
4FUSE Research Network. The American College of Financial Services Designation Outcomes Study. 2024. Growth comparison based on reported three-year period compared to professionals without designations.
5The American College of Financial Services. Advisor Expertise Study. 2026.
Your Special Offer: Save Nearly $300 on the First Course!
Become an Expert in Retirement Income Planning
Get personalized program information, see how the RICP® can fit into your business, and claim your exclusive tuition savings now.
The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s leader in specialized financial planning education. Learn more about the RICP® Program at TheAmericanCollege.edu/RICP.
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