Comprehensive Learning

Gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills to navigate retirement planning with ease.

Expert Guidance

Learn from industry experts and avoid costly mistakes that could harm your clients' financial futures.

Practical Application

Implement strategies to boost your book of business and enhance client relationships.

Why Qualified Retirement Plans Feel Risky for Advisors

If you’re like most financial advisors, qualified retirement plans can feel intimidating—not because you lack intelligence or experience, but because the rules are complex, the consequences are real, and responsibility often feels unclear. Many advisors struggle because: You don’t want to give incorrect advice or unintentionally take on liability Plan documents feel overwhelming and difficult to interpret You rely heavily on TPAs but aren’t always sure what is truly being handled Taking over an existing plan feels especially risky You know this knowledge matters—but you’re not sure where the real boundaries are This course was built to remove that uncertainty.

What changes after this course?

BEFORE this course many advisors feel: - Hesitant around qualified plans - Unsure about roles and responsibilities - Reactive when issues arise - Uncomfortable taking over existing plans AFTER completing this course, you'll have: - A clear understanding of how qualified plans actually operate - Confidence reading and discussing plan documents - The ability to identify compliance red flags early - Professional, precise language for clients, CPAs, and TPAs

Is This Course Right for You?

This course is for you if... You advise business owners with 401(k)/profit sharing plans You want to avoid being blamed for plan mistakes You want a repeatable process and better questions to ask You want to grow AUM through deeper plan specialization By the end you will be able to... Spot red flags before they become disasters Ask the right questions of TPAs/CPAs/recordkeepers Guide plan changes without overstepping Run an annual plan review with confidence

What's Included

Your enrollment includes: > Comprehensive written and video training > Periodic Check-In to ensure comprehension and understanding > Advisor checklists and practical worksheets > A structured plan review framework > A qualified plan takeover checklist > Ongoing access to course updates > Secure, single-user course access

About Your Instructor

Heidal Summers, CPC, QPA, QKC, QKA Heidal Summers has worked in the qualified retirement plan industry since 1999. She has held roles at boutique firms, the largest firms in the country, and the largest independently owned organizations in the industry. For more than 15 years, Heidal has focused on complex plan design consulting and advisor education. She is known for translating highly technical, compliance-driven concepts into clear, practical guidance advisors can confidently apply in real client situations.

Course Curriculum

4 Chapters · 65 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to the Course

    2. How to use this course Free preview
    3. Pre-Learning Assessment Free preview
  2. 2

    Chapter 1 - Why Advisors Get Burned - and How to Stop It

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 1 Tools & Handout Guide

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 1.1 Note Taking Handout

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 1.1 - The Advisor Is the Most Trusted Person in the Room

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Advisor Client Role Alignment Worksheet

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Advisor Demo Alignment Meeting Script

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Note Taking Handout Section 1.2 Companion

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 1.2 - Where Advisors Accidentally Step Into Risk

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Advisor Risk Trigger Checklist

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Advisor Language Awareness Guide

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Documentation Best Practices Guide

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Documentation Habits that Reduce Risk

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Sample Email Templates - Documentation Style

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Note Taking Handout Section 1.3 Companion

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 1.3 - Advice vs Education vs Leadership

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Leadership Language Cheatsheet

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Note Taking Handout Section 1.4 Companion

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 1.4 - The Real Cost of Getting This Wrong

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      CHAPTER 1 SUMMARY

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      How the Learning Objectives Were Accomplished

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 1 Outcome

  3. 3

    Chapter 2 - Understanding Qualified Retirement Plan Structures & Design Logic

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Chapter 2

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 2 Tools & Handouts Guide

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 2.1 Note Taking Handout

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 2.1 - The Qualified Plan Landscape: What Exists & Why

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Qualified Plan Structure Snapshot

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Structural Questions Every Advisor Should Be Able to Ask

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 2.2 Note Taking Handout

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 2.2 Contribution Buckets & Money Types

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Client Introduction Script for Contribution Sources

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Contribution Source Snapshot

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 2.3 Note Taking Handout

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 2.3 Allocation Logic & The Fairness Myth

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Allocation Language Cheat Sheet

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 2.4 Note Taking Handout

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 2.4 Design Drift, Misalignment and Advisor Risk

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Advisor Structural Red Flags Checklist

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 2 Capstone Case Study Reflection Notes

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Post Chapter 2 Self Assessment

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Provider Monitoring Checklist - Advisor Internal Version

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      Provider Monitoring Meeting Agenda

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      Provider Monitoring Checklist - Client Version

    22. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 2 Summary

    23. (Included in full purchase)

      How the Learning Objectives Were Accomplished

    24. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 2 Outcome

  4. 4

    Chapter 3 - Execution, Governance & Defensible Growth

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Chapter 3

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.1 Note Taking Handout

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.1 - The Advisor as Plan Leader

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Plan Decision Hierarchy Map

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Advisor Positioning Diagnostic

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      90 Day Plan Leadership Reset

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.2 Note Taking Handout

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.2 - The Advisor Governance Model

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Provider Monitoring Meeting Agenda

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.3 Note Taking Handout

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.3 - Documentation, Boundaries & Advisor Defensibility

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Advisor Decision Record

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Real-Time Self Correction Framework

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Structured Post Meeting Framwork

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Narrative Risk Scan

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.4 - Coordinating TPAs, Recordkeepers & ERISA Counsel

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.5 - Turning Qualified Plan Expertise into Growth

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Section 3.6 - Final Course Capstone

What Financial Advisors are Saying

Feedback from advisors who wanted clearer guidance, stronger confidence, and better conversations around qualified retirement plans.

”
“After spending my career in financial services, I can say without hesitation that this course would have been a game changer for my practice. Qualified retirement plans were always an area where I knew there was more to understand, but reliable, practical education was hard to find. This program clearly explains what advisors actually need to know — not theory, but real-world application. I genuinely wish this had been available while I was still in business.”
Jessica L. 

Retired Financial Advisor

“I’ve been a financial advisor for over 15 years, and qualified retirement plans were always an area I avoided because I didn’t feel I had the right skill set. This course completely changed that. I now understand what to ask, what to look for, and how to confidently guide clients without feeling exposed or unsure. As a direct result, I’ve helped take over several qualified plans for existing clients, bringing in more than $15 million in assets under management. More importantly, I finally feel equipped — and this feels like just the beginning of some very meaningful growth for my business.”
Ashley T.  CFP

Financial Advisor

”
“For years, qualified retirement plans felt like something I needed to approach cautiously. I knew they were important to my clients, but I didn’t feel confident that I fully understood the details well enough to lead those conversations. This course finally filled in the gaps. It provided clear, practical guidance on what advisors actually need to know — how to ask better questions, identify issues early, and work effectively with TPAs and other professionals. I now feel confident stepping into these discussions, and it’s already changed the way I support my clients and evaluate growth opportunities within my existing book.”
Mark C.

Financial Advisor

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