The Retirement Advisor University (TRAU)
The Retirement Advisor University (TRAU) is a specialized education and credentialing platform serving defined contribution (DC) retirement plan professionals. TRAU partners with the UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education to deliver its flagship designation, the Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P®), blending academic rigor with practical, advisor‑focused training. TRAU also collaborates with the SPARK Institute to deliver foundational designations for consultants, specialists, and recordkeeping professionals across the retirement plan ecosystem.
📜 Flagship Designations
- C(k)P® – Certified 401(k) Professional — TRAU’s premier designation, developed with UCLA Anderson Executive Education, recognizing elite retirement plan advisors with advanced expertise in fiduciary standards, plan design, participant outcomes, and ERISA‑aligned best practices.
- ARPC – Accredited Retirement Plan Consultant — A SPARK Institute designation for sales, consulting, and distribution professionals in the retirement plan industry, now delivered through TRAU’s integrated learning platform.
- ARPS – Accredited Retirement Plan Specialist — A SPARK Institute credential for administrative, operations, and recordkeeping professionals supporting employer‑sponsored retirement plans.
🧭 Overview
TRAU provides structured, academically supported education for advisors and professionals working in the defined contribution marketplace. Its C(k)P® program combines university‑level instruction with industry case studies, fiduciary frameworks, and practical application. TRAU’s collaboration with the SPARK Institute extends its reach to plan consultants, specialists, and operational professionals through the ARPC and ARPS designations.
TRAU’s affiliate organization, The Plan Sponsor University (TPSU), delivers fiduciary education to plan sponsors nationwide, creating a complementary ecosystem that supports both advisors and employers in improving participant outcomes.
🤝 Community & Support
TRAU supports a growing national community of retirement plan advisors, consultants, and plan sponsors through online coursework, in‑person training, and classroom sessions hosted at UCLA. Its alumni network includes nearly 1,000 C(k)P® designees and thousands of TPSU‑trained plan sponsors. TRAU also publishes educational content through 401kTV and maintains strategic partnerships to advance fiduciary standards and retirement readiness.
📌 Quick Facts
- Website: trauniversity.com
- Founded: 2010
- Headquarters: Simsbury, CT, United States
- Phone: 203‑550‑0380
- Credential Focus: Defined contribution plans, fiduciary education, plan sponsor training, rollover strategies
- Flagship Designations: C(k)P®, ARPC, ARPS
🏛 Sector Assignment
- Primary Sector: Financial Planning, Retirement & Wealth Management
- Secondary Sector: Retirement Plans & Employer‑Sponsored Benefits
🗂 Category Assignment
- Defined Contribution Plan Advisory
- Fiduciary Standards & Compliance
- Plan Sponsor Education
- Retirement Plan Operations & Recordkeeping
- Participant Outcomes & Engagement
🔗 Related Providers
- ASPPA – American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries
- NAPA – National Association of Plan Advisors
- Fi360 – A Broadridge Company
- College for Financial Planning
- The American College of Financial Services
