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End of Year Tax Reporting—Make sure your credit union is prepared! (Webinar)

Whether you’re new to tax reporting, or need to freshen up your understanding of the regulations, this recorded webinar will help you make sure your credit union is prepared. This webinar will cover IRA, ESA, HSA tax forms and due dates. You will learn to identify due dates for tax forms to account owners and the IRS, and to determine which tax forms are needed for each account type.

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Overview

In order to attract and retain members, credit unions must continually enhance and increase both the traditional and electronic means by which members obtain loans and direct investments.

As part of a full service offering, IRAs and other retirement plan options are key components of differentiation. This is where Ascensus can make the difference for you. Ascensus is committed to the success of the credit union market.

It is uniquely positioned to develop, implement and support all of your credit union's financial planning initiatives. Its staff is unique, as it is comprised of seasoned retirement planning and financial services experts who work side by side with leading-edge Web designers and programmers. It is this distinct combination that allows Ascensus to create solutions that remain virtually unparalleled in the retirement services industry.

Solutions

Leading the Ascensus suite of solutions are the following:

Retirement Central - A culmination of retirement planning tools and educational content that brings value to your members, your operational support areas and your distribution channels.

IRA Service Center - A complete on-line IRA document generation system that ensures compliance with each transaction, whether staff directed or member directed through your public Web site.

Retirement Learning Suite - The most comprehensive educational program in the retirement services industry includes instructor-led training, teleconference sessions with Web-enhanced presentations and a complete e-Learning library containing self-paced modules, exams and administrative support system.

Credit Union Forms Solutions - A complete line of IRA and retirement plans forms designed specifically for the credit union market. These forms are easy to use and can be customized in either printed or electronic formats.

Health Savings Account Solutions - Forms and software to help you manage this new and exciting product to members.

Certified IRA Professional Exam (CIP)

NAFCU members are encouraged to attend the IRA Institute or IRA Online Institute, in preparation for taking the Certified IRA Professional Exam (CIP).

Ascensus and the NAFCU Services Corporation developed a prestigious, nationally recognized certification program exclusively for credit union professionals who have compliance responsibilities for IRAs. The CIP designation is earned by successfully completing an intensive study program and an examination.

NAFCU Member-only Benefits

NAFCU members receive a 10% discount on select Ascensus products and solutions and a discount registration fee for the IRA Institute or IRA Online Institute – a $100 savings.

Download other IRA and HSA documents, forms, etc.

Download the Ascensus Credit Union Catalog here.
Create a successful IRA or HSA training program with Ascensus Training Organizers. Learn more.

Company

Ascensus, Inc.'s mission is to be the premier provider of traditional and technology-based solutions to the retirement services industry. Building on its nearly 30 years of experience, our market presence and foresight, Ascensus has developed a comprehensive suite of products designed to make your credit union more competitive in today's marketplace.

Over 9,000 financial organizations, including more than 1,300 credit unions nationwide have come to depend on the retirement services and solutions provided by Ascensus.

Educational Resources

Obama Budget Proposes Cap on Retirement Plan Balances (Blog Post)
The Obama Administration has proposed a cap of $3 million on IRAs and retirement savings plans in order to raise $9 billion of additional revenue over the next 10 years. This is the first time that the Obama Administration has proposed a cap on the total amount of assets that can be accumulated in IRAs and retirement savings plans held by individuals. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.
Individually Focused IRA Marketing (Blog Post)
The April 15 tax filing and IRA contribution deadline is only one month away. Much of the marketing focus this year is on the higher IRA contribution limits. For 2013, the IRA contribution limit is $5,500, up from the previous $5,000 limit. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.
113th Congress Faces Contentious Issues (Blog Post)
With the photo-ops and swearing-in ceremonies over, and the presidential inauguration now a memory, the 113th Congress is hard at work facing a number of contentious, but familiar, issues, one of which is tax reform. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.
Saved By the “Fiscal Cliff” Bell (Blog Post)
As most Americans were ringing in the New Year, the Senate was holding an early morning roll call vote on a bill to avoid hurtling off the “fiscal cliff” that would have resulted from the expiration of the Bush-era tax rates and spending cuts mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.
End of Year Tax Reporting—Make sure your credit union is prepared! (Webinar)
Whether you’re new to tax reporting, or need to freshen up your understanding of the regulations, this recorded webinar will help you make sure your credit union is prepared. This webinar will cover IRA, ESA, HSA tax forms and due dates. You will learn to identify due dates for tax forms to account owners and the IRS, and to determine which tax forms are needed for each account type.
Happy holidays and...tax reporting for IRAs, HSAs and ESAs? (Blog Post)
It’s that time of year again! And no, I’m not talking about the holidays and gift giving. In fact, the timing has more to do with a little bit of ‘bah humbug’ in the form of 2012 IRA, HSA, and Coverdell ESA Tax Reporting. Read more of this NAFCU Services Blog post.
How to Guide: Establishing and Funding IRAs (Webinar)
There are many topics surrounding IRA's, from establishing the account to the year-end tax benefits. You and your members have questions, and we have the answers! During this free recorded webinar, we will educate you on the basics for both Traditional and Roth IRAs, including how to establish and fund IRAs for members, tax advantages, contribution eligibility, and more.
Year-End IRA Program Best Practices (Podcast)
December is the perfect time of year to review year-end best practices at your credit union, including those for your IRA program. In this podcast, we speak with an expert on IRAs who answers commonly asked questions posed by IRA professionals at this busy time of year.
Year-End IRA Program Checklist for Credit Unions (Document)
December is the perfect time of year to review year-end best practices at your credit union, including those for your IRA program. Use this checklist to prepare for the busy tax reporting season.
Understanding IRA Contributions: From Deadlines to Deductibility Rules (Recorded Webinar)
With the tax deadline approaching, it’s important for your credit union to gear up for the hectic IRA contribution season. Your members will have questions and you need to have the answers! Watch this recorded webinar to train yourself in both Traditional and Roth IRA issues, including deadlines, limits, possible tax credits and traditional IRA deductibility rules.
Roth Conversions - Why Should I Convert? (Podcast)
Thanks to recent changes in IRS rules, practically everyone is eligible for a Roth IRA conversion minus the tax consequences. This offers a significant opportunity for credit unions to both offer a compelling member benefit and also generate non-fee income. In this podcast, we visit with Kim Johnson, Director of ERISA Technical Support for Ascensus. Kim joined Ascensus in 1994, bringing to his position a wide range of experience in the insurance and investment industries.
Effective IRA Training Programs (Article)
Retirement experts are expecting job changers and retirees to roll millions of dollars into IRAs in the coming years. A 2008 study by the Financial Research Corp. estimates that rollover totals will approach $500 billion annually within five years. Christle Johnson, CIP, is a writer and consultant with Ascensus, a Preferred Partner of NAFCU Services. Ascensus provides a full range of retirement services to financial organizations nationwide, including education and training programs delivered through seminars, customized onsite training, and a variety of technology and Web-based products.

News

NAFCU Services and Ascensus Provide Podcast on New Roth Conversion Rules (July 1, 2010)
WASHINGTON — NAFCU Services Corporation (www.nafcu.org/nafcuservices) today announced the availability of an educational audio podcast, “Roth Conversions – Why Should I Convert?” The podcast was created with Ascensus, the NAFCU Services Preferred Partner for IRA, Retirement Plan and Health Savings Account (HSA) solutions.
Bisys and NAFCU Services Expand Partnership to Include Health Savings Accounts (July 9, 2007)
Arlington, Va. – BISYS Retirement Services and NAFCU Services Corporation recently expanded their partnership to include Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), a consumer-funded savings plan. Previously recommended for several of its IRA and retirement planning products, BISYS will now use the NAFCU Services Preferred Partner designation for its HSA products and services.