Boston Institute of Finance (BIF), a Colibri Group organization, announced its acquisition of the Certified Retirement Counselor® designation from the International Foundation for Retirement Education on February 25, 2026. The Certified Retirement Counselor® designation is a nationally recognized, independently accredited credential that equips financial and retirement professionals with deep, practical expertise.
About the Acquisition of the Certified Retirement Counselor® Designation
Following its own acquisition by Colibri Group in January 2025, BIF has continued to expand its advanced designation portfolio across financial planning and wealth management. Widely respected for helping thousands of candidates earn the CFP® designation through its CFP® Education programs and The BIF Review, a CFP® Exam preparation program, BIF brings deep experience, operational scale, and a strong commitment to learner outcomes to the Certified Retirement Counselor® community.
BIF is committed to advancing the Certified Retirement Counselor® designation and elevating the standards of retirement planning.
“Certified Retirement Counselor® is a designation with real purpose in the financial and retirement planning profession,” said Tim Dineen, Vice President at BIF. “It helps professionals develop meaningful retirement planning expertise at an important point in their careers and supports long‑term growth as they deepen and expand their practice. We’re excited to invest in the program and in the professionals it serves.”
Since 2009, the Certified Retirement Counselor® designation has maintained independent accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Current credential holders and candidates will experience no disruption to their standing, program requirements, or exam testing windows.
“For the Certified Retirement Counselor® community, this transition is about continuity and long‑term opportunity,” said Kevin Seibert, Managing Director of the Certified Retirement Counselor® Program at BIF. “I’ve had the privilege of leading the Certified Retirement Counselor® designation and its community for more than twenty years, and joining BIF allows us to continue that work with greater scale and support. We’re committed to a seamless transition while thoughtfully expanding the reach and impact of the designation.”
With the Certified Retirement Counselor® program now part of BIF, the designation will continue to be supported by the same dedicated team of professionals that you know and trust, while benefiting from BIF’s long‑term investment and institutional strength.
What Is the Certified Retirement Counselor® Designation?
The Certified Retirement Counselor® is a retirement‑specialist designation accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) that signals mastery of retirement planning, specifically focusing on income strategies, Social Security, healthcare planning, behavioral elements, and retirement risk management. Certified Retirement Counselor® professionals also commit to a Code of Ethics and continuing education. It is aimed at professionals who want to be recognized as true retirement planning specialists rather than generalists.
Why Become a Certified Retirement Counselor®
Having your Certified Retirement Counselor® designation positions you as a retirement specialist, signaling to clients and employers that you have deeper retirement expertise than a generalist advisor and demonstrates independent, NCCA‑accredited validation of your retirement knowledge. This can enhance credibility with prospective and existing clients and retirement plan participants to help you stand out among other financial professionals.
How Do I Become a Certified Retirement Counselor®
There are four steps to earning your Certified Retirement Counselor® designation:
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Meet the eligibility requirements:
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Complete a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited university, and gain two years of relevant, retirement-related professional experience.
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Complete or a high school diploma, and gain at least five years of relevant, retirement experience
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- Complete the registration form to enroll in the Certified Retirement Counselor® program.
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Pass the Certified Retirement Counselor® Certification Exam
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Adhere to the Code of Ethics.
Should I Earn My Certified Retirement Counselor® Designation Before CFP® Marks?
You can earn your Certified Retirement Counselor® designation before or after you become a CFP® professional as they are both beneficial. If you choose to get your Certified Retirement Counselor® designation first, it provides an excellent stepping-stone for your CFP® Education, giving you a stronger foundation in areas of retirement planning. Certified Retirement Counselor® Certificants will also receive a waiver on two of seven BIF CFP® courses, reducing tuition fees and hastening completion of required coursework.
On the other hand, if you have your CFP® marks, earning your Certified Retirement Counselor® designation will also help you stand out as a specialist in the area of retirement planning, and you'll be more familiar with the material, making the exam prep less challenging.
Either way, having both credentials will benefit you, your career, and your clients.
