About the Designation

The ChPEA℠ Designation

A professional designation focused on knowledge of public-employee retirement benefits and the standards that support professional practice.

The Credential

What the ChPEA℠ designation represents

The Chartered Public Employee Advisor (ChPEA℠) is issued by the ChPEA Certification Board, a division of Institute for Public Employee Advisors, LLC.
It is an education-based professional designation that recognizes an advisor’s knowledge of public-employee retirement benefits.

ChPEA℠ is not a license, and it does not authorize the sale of any product. Designees must hold and maintain their own applicable licenses.

What the designation does

  • Recognizes knowledge of public-employee retirement benefits.
  • Demonstrates completion of a focused educational curriculum.
  • Requires a passing examination.
  • Supports ongoing professional development through continuing education.
  • Requires agreement to the ChPEA℠ Code of Ethics.
Federal Track

Areas of expertise covered

The Federal Track covers the major retirement benefit systems, planning considerations, and administrative issues relevant to federal employees.

01

FERS Three-Part Framework

Basic Benefit, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

02

FERS Eligibility & Pension

FERS eligibility, pension formula, creditable service, and deposits.

03

CSRS & CSRS Offset

CSRS and CSRS Offset, including the age-62 offset and full-CPI COLAs.

04

Special Retirement Supplement

The Special Retirement Supplement and the applicable earnings test.

05

TSP Planning

Contributions, Roth vs. Traditional, investments, withdrawals, and RMDs.

06

Social Security Coordination

Social Security claiming and coordination, including the WEP/GPO repeal.

07

Health & Insurance Benefits

FEHB, PSHB, Medicare coordination, FEGLI, and ancillary coverage.

08

Survivor & Court-Order Planning

Survivor elections, divorce and court orders, and beneficiary planning.

09

Retirement Transitions

Retirement transitions, OPM processing, and “best day to retire” timing.

10

Special-Provisions Retirement

Retirement considerations for law enforcement officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, and CBP officers.
Standards Behind the Designation

More than education. A framework of professional standards.

The ChPEA℠ designation is supported by prerequisite licensing or experience, education, examination, continuing education, ethics, and accountability.

Prerequisite Licensing / Experience

Candidates must meet the applicable prerequisite licensing or professional experience requirements.

Curriculum Completion

Candidates must complete the required ChPEA℠ educational curriculum.

Passing Examination

Candidates must achieve a passing score on the required examination.

Continuing Education

Designees must meet continuing-education requirements to maintain their designation.

Code of Ethics

Designees agree to follow the ChPEA℠ Code of Ethics and its professional standards.

Complaint & Disciplinary Process

Designees are subject to the organization’s complaint and disciplinary process.