* Price covers the $6 IAR CE reporting fee.

Course Overview

This course is designed to equip investment advisory representatives with the knowledge and skills necessary to offer specialized financial advice to senior clients, particularly those exhibiting signs of diminished cognitive capacity. The course begins with an introduction that outlines its objectives and structure, emphasizing the importance of tailored advice for the senior demographic. Participants will then delve into the demographics, psychological and physiological changes associated with aging, and how to recognize diminished cognitive capacity in Module 1. Subsequent modules cover legal and ethical considerations, including fiduciary duties and preventing financial abuse, and delve into the intricacies of financial planning for seniors, from retirement income planning to healthcare financing. The course also provides extensive guidance on effective communication strategies, ensuring the suitability of product recommendations, and involves practical applications through case studies. Each course includes quizzes to reinforce learning, and the concludes with a summary of key takeaways and suggesting further resources for continued learning. This course aims to not only educate but also empower advisers to make a positive impact on the financial well-being of their senior clients.

Our course is designed as a text-based, self-paced learning experience. You have the flexibility to start, pause, and resume the course at your convenience without the need to adhere to a specific schedule. This format allows you to integrate your learning seamlessly into your busy schedule, ensuring you can proceed at a pace that suits your individual needs.


Difficulty Level: Foundational

IAR CE: 2 credits in Ethics and Professional Responsibility

CFP CE: 2 hours in General CE


Learning Objectives

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

Identify and Understand the Senior Client:

  • Recognize the demographics and economic profiles of senior clients.
  • Understand the psychological and physiological changes associated with aging.
  • Identify signs of diminished cognitive capacity in senior clients.


Grasp Legal and Ethical Considerations:

  • Comprehend fiduciary responsibilities and ethical standards specific to advising senior clients.
  • Understand legal frameworks governing advice for seniors, including power of attorney and guardianship.
  • Recognize and implement strategies to prevent elder financial abuse.


Master Financial Planning for Seniors:

  • Develop comprehensive retirement income planning strategies, including Social Security, pensions, and annuities.
  • Understand estate planning and wealth transfer strategies.
  • Navigate healthcare financing, including Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance.


Communicate Effectively with Senior Clients:

  • Employ effective communication techniques tailored for seniors.
  • Adapt financial advice for clients with diminished cognitive capacity.
  • Involve family members and caregivers in the financial planning process appropriately.


Evaluate Product Recommendations and Suitability:

  • Assess product suitability for senior clients.
  • Understand the risks and benefits of common investment products for seniors.
  • Identify and avoid common pitfalls in advising senior clients, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.


Apply Knowledge through Practical Application:

  • Develop personalized advice plans for senior clients.
  • Integrate key financial planning components effectively.
  • Utilize case studies to apply knowledge in practical scenarios.


Course curriculum

    1. Course Instructions

    2. Overview of the Course Objectives and Structure

    3. Importance of Specialized Advice for Seniors

    1. Demographics and Economic Profiles of Senior Clients

    2. Psychological and Physiological Changes with Aging

    3. Recognizing Signs of Diminished Cognitive Capacity

    4. Quiz: Module 1 - Understanding the Senior Client

    1. Fiduciary Responsibilities and Ethical Standards

    2. Legal Frameworks Governing Advice for Seniors

    3. Preventing Elder Financial Abuse

    4. Quiz: Module 2 - Legal and Ethical Considerations

    1. Retirement Income Planning: Social Security, Pensions, Annuities

    2. Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer Strategies

    3. Healthcare Financing: Medicare, Medicaid, Long-Term Care Insurance

    4. Quiz: Module 3 - Financial Planning for Seniors

    1. Effective Communication Techniques with Seniors

    2. Adapting Financial Advice for Clients with Diminished Cognitive Capacity

    3. Involving Family Members and Caregivers Appropriately

    4. Quiz: Module 4 - Communication Strategies

    1. Assessing Product Suitability for Senior Clients

    2. Risks and Benefits of Common Investment Products for Seniors

    3. Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Ensuring Compliance

    4. Quiz: Module 5 - Product Recommendations and Suitability

About this course

  • $19.90
  • 33 lessons
  • IAR CE 2 Hours Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  • $6 IAR CE reporting fee included

Course Completion Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will:

  • Have a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by senior clients, especially those with diminished cognitive capacity.
  • Be equipped with the legal and ethical knowledge required to navigate the complex landscape of financial advice for seniors.
  • Be skilled in creating tailored financial plans that address the specific needs of senior clients, including retirement planning, estate planning, and healthcare financing.
  • Be adept at communicating effectively with senior clients and their families, ensuring that advice is understood and acted upon appropriately.
  • Be able to evaluate the suitability of financial products for senior clients, with an understanding of how to balance risk and reward in the context of their unique situations.
  • Be prepared to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through practical case studies, demonstrating the ability to develop comprehensive and personalized financial advice for senior clients.


This course offers a comprehensive framework for investment advisory representatives to enhance their skills in advising senior clients and ensure that their financial advice is ethical, suitable, and sensitively delivered.

According to NASAA guidelines, to successfully complete the course, you must achieve a score of at least 70% on the final assessment. You have up to three attempts to reach this score. If you do not pass after three attempts, you will need to retake the entire course before you can try the assessment again.

Course Instructions

NASAA does not endorse any particular provider of CE courses. The content of the course and any views expressed are my/our own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASAA or any of its member jurisdictions.

Discover your potential, starting today

Stay Informed

Subscribe for the latest updates, exclusive discounts, and course announcements right to your inbox.

Thank You