How is Boston Institute of Finance connected to Boston University?
Boston Institute of Finance provides academic advisement and enrollment services for Boston University's Online Retirement Management Program. All of the course content and faculty support is provided by Boston University.
How do I register for Boston University Online Retirement Management program?
Click here to register for the program. Access information will be emailed to you before the start of your session. For assistance, please call an Enrollment Advisor at 1-800-329-4996.
Is there a financing option?
Students who wish to finance their online financial planning education with a personal loan can apply for low-interest funding through Wells Fargo Education Connection Loans. For details regarding financing visit the Wells Fargo website.
For how long can I access the online program?
Students will have access to BU’s Online Retirement Management Program for a total of five weeks. This will be preceeded by a short online Student Orientation that you can complete the week prior to the program start. This will familiarize you with the Learning Management System on which the program runs.
Who is the Online Retirement Management Program designed for?
- Financial professionals
- Asset managers
- Licensed agents and representatives of broker/dealers
- Registered investment advisors
- Financial advisors of all kinds
If I successfully complete the BU program in Retirement Management, will I become certified as an RMASM?
Boston University does not certify individuals as RMASM.. Certification is bestowed by the Retirement Income Industry Association Board (RIIA). There are a number of qualifying steps to become an RMASM, including taking an RIIA Board-approved education program, such as the BU program; completing an application for membership; passing the RIIA examination; and having work experience/knowledge of the retirement field. Successfully completing the Boston University program satisfies the first of these requirements. For more information regarding certification please visit the RIIA website.
Can I use this course towards my Continuing Education (CE) Credit requirements?
Upon completion of the Retirement Management program, students may be entitled to the following Continuing Education Units (CEUs):
Massachusetts Division of Insurance (MA DOI)—Students can receive 23 credits upon program completion. An email will be sent to students at the conclusion of the course that outlines the process for receiving these credits.
Boston University’s online Retirement Management Program has gained approval by the Certified Financial Planning Board™ for 12.5 credit hours of continuing education through its Center for Professional Education. In order to achieve this status, and the status of a Continuing Education Sponsor, the University completed an extensive application process—including a detailed review of the course outline and methodology—and successfully demonstrated the overall breadth and depth of the program.
Licensed CFP® professionals who seek continuing education credits enroll in a five-week online course of study in Retirement Management, and then apply for credit though Boston University Center for Professional Education. CFP® certificants need at least 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including a two-hour program on the CFP Board's ethical standards.
What happens if I pass the Retirement Management course but fail the RIIA exam?
If a student fails the RIIA exam after scoring B- or higher in our course, they may retake our course free of charge.
Do I have to purchase any textbooks or are they included in the program?
Students are required to purchase two textbooks.
Primary textbook:
How to Benefit From "The View Across the Silos": From Investment Management to Retirement Income and Retirement Management (3rd ed.) by Francois Gadenne and Michael Zwecher. This book can be purchased by emailing: deborah@riia-usa.org.
Secondary textbook:
Retirement Portfolios: Theory, Construction, and Management by Michael Zwecher. This book is available through Amazon.