Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) Program

Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Editorial Team

Updated on March 11, 2023

CEBS Designation

A Certified Employee Benefit Specialist is a professional who plans and negotiates employee benefit packages for companies.

They have a deep understanding of compensation structures, health and disability insurance.

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CEBS Program

CEBSs earn a professional designation by completing an educational program through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP).

The curriculum was designed by the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and Dalhousie University.

Per the IFEBP, the curriculum focuses on topics such as:

  • Group Benefits Management
  • Retirement Plans Management
  • Wealth Management/Personal Financial Planning
  • Governance/Integration/Coordination of Private, Group and Public Plans
  • Plan Design
  • Plan Funding and Finance
  • Plan Administration/Claims
  • Plan Communication
  • Compliance Practices
  • Resource and Cost-Containment Practices
  • Technology, Service and Support Practices
  • Regulatory, Legislative and Marketplace Developments
  • Ethics and Professional/Fiduciary Responsibility

Colleges That Offer The CEBS Certification

Students can also garner their Group Benefits Associate (GBA) or Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) specialty designation by taking courses in directing benefits or directing retirement plans.

Popular universities that offer these designations are Southern New Hampshire University, Strayer University, Colorado State University Global, Herzing University and Capella University.

Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) FAQs

About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website, view his author profile on Amazon, or check out his speaker profile on the CFA Institute website.

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