MSPA – Member, Society of Pension Actuaries
🧭 Overview
MSPA – Member, Society of Pension Actuaries is an advanced credential offered by the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA), part of the American Retirement Association (ARA). It is awarded to professionals who have achieved Enrolled Actuary (EA) status through the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries and who meet ASPPA’s standards for actuarial expertise and ethics.
The MSPA designation recognizes actuaries who specialize in defined benefit plan design, funding, compliance, and consulting. It signals mastery of IRS and ERISA regulations, actuarial valuation techniques, and fiduciary responsibilities in the pension space. MSPA holders often serve as key advisors to plan sponsors, TPAs, and financial institutions managing complex retirement plans.
📚 Requirements
- Must be an Enrolled Actuary (EA) licensed by the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries
- Minimum of three years of professional experience in pension actuarial work
- Membership in ASPPA and adherence to its Code of Professional Conduct
- Continuing education: 40 hours every two years, including ethics
🤝 Community & Recognition
MSPA designees are part of ASPPA’s actuarial community, gaining access to technical resources, peer collaboration, and policy advocacy. The designation is widely respected among plan sponsors, regulators, and consulting firms for its emphasis on actuarial rigor and ethical standards.
📜 Quick Facts
Issuing Organization: American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA)
Website: asppa-net.org
Credential Focus: Defined benefit plans, actuarial valuations, ERISA compliance, funding strategies
Audience: Enrolled Actuaries, pension consultants, actuarial advisors
Continuing Education: 40 hours every two years
Related Designations: FSPA, CPC, QPA
