LIMRA LOMA Secure Retirement Institute™ Establishes New Retirement Designation Targeted for Retirement Industry Professionals

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The LIMRA LOMA Secure Retirement Institute today announced it has established the Fellow, Secure Retirement Institute (FSRI™) designation.

This innovative, online self-study program is designed to empower individuals and financial services firms who are active in the retirement market.  It teaches the retirement business from the perspective of participants, sponsors, advisors and providers, promoting a deeper understanding of these key constituencies and their relationships with one another.

"LIMRA research indicates that there will be $22 trillion in financial assets available for retirement income products by 2020 – creating a more diverse, complex and competitive market," says Kathy Milligan, FLMI, ACS, senior vice president of LOMA's Education and Training Division. "Companies in this market need employees who have the knowledge and skills to support retirement plans and products while delivering effective service and solutions to both customers and advisors."

The LOMA FSRI program provides a comprehensive curriculum for employees in asset management firms, insurance companies, distribution organizations, and recordkeeping companies.  It helps employees understand the plans and products they support, the role of those plans and products within a retirement plan, and the complex retirement planning decisions their customers are facing.  Employees who undertake the FSRI's three-level program will also understand the role of their jobs within the broader context of their company and the retirement industry as a whole.

The first course, Retirement Marketplace, provides a broad overview of the retirement landscape, examining the types of organizations, products, plans and services that are available. The course also covers retirement income needs and resources; personal and financial risks routinely associated with retirement; and risk management and portfolio management concepts.  Retirement Marketplace, the first in the seven-course program, will be available November 2013.

The highly interactive, online course format, which includes integrated non-proctored exams, is as engaging as it is convenient with scenarios and decision-making exercises that enhance the learning experience. 

"Many of the existing professional designation programs in retirement are designed for advisors," Milligan continued. "Our own research, and repeated requests from our member companies, indicated a need for a comprehensive, broad-based program to educate employees who develop, administer and support retirement plans and products in companies serving the retirement market." 

To learn more about the LOMA FSRI program, please visit www.loma.org/sri.aspx.

About LIMRA LOMA Secure Retirement Institute The LIMRA LOMA Secure Retirement Institute provides comprehensive, unbiased research and education about all aspects within the retirement industry to improve retirement readiness and promote retirement security.

About LOMA
Established in 1924, with 1,200 plus member companies in over 80 countries, LOMA is committed to a business partnership with its world-wide members in the insurance and financial services industry to improve their management and operations through quality employee development, research, information sharing, and related products and services. To find out more about LOMA and the learning opportunities it offers, visit LOMA's Web site at www.loma.org.

SOURCE LOMA