In-depth articles on funds, annuities, estate planning, tax strategy, and retirement income. Written by the same team that builds our designation programs.

Mutual Funds & ETFs

SPIVA Scorecard: How Active Funds Performed vs. Their Benchmarks

The SPIVA U.S. Scorecard on active fund managers vs. benchmarks. Latest results, category breakdowns, and what the data means for advisors selecting active funds.

Estate Planning

Estate Tax Planning Strategies for High-Net-Worth Clients

Estate tax planning for high-net-worth clients requires timing, coordination, and a clear understanding of how exemptions, gifting, and trust structures interact to minimize transfer tax exposure while achieving non-tax goals.

Annuities

Variable Annuity Living Benefits: GMWB, GLWB, GMIB, and GMAB Explained

Four types of living benefit riders protect variable annuity owners against market losses and longevity risk, but each uses different mechanics, waiting periods, and withdrawal rules that determine whether the guarantee is worth its cost.

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What You Get

Four ways to learn every chapter

Every designation includes printed books and three digital formats. Choose how you learn best. All four cover the same material.

Chapter Books Series

Chapter Books

Printed textbooks shipped to your door. The core of every IBF program. Every chapter, every designation.

2 volumes per program Included

Chapter Blueprints Series

Chapter Blueprints

Visual frameworks and key relationships. ~15 slides each. See the material instead of just reading it.

One per chapter Included

Chapter Snapshots Series

Chapter Snapshots

Every chapter at a glance. One-page infographic for quick review before exams or client meetings.

One per chapter Included

Chapter Roundtables Series

Chapter Roundtables

Two hosts unpack every chapter in conversation. Same ground as the book. ~16 minutes each.

One per chapter Included

How It Works

From enrollment to credential. Four steps.

No surprises. Self-paced, online, and designed to fit around your practice.

Step One

Explore

Browse all eight designations. Take a free self-assessment. Find the specialization that fits your practice.

Step Two

Enroll

Step Three

Study

Work through the chapters at your own pace. Most students finish in 2 to 4 months. 12 months to complete.

Step Four

Certify

Pass the online proctored exam and earn your designation. Use it on business cards, LinkedIn, and client materials.

What Designees Say

Real results from real advisors.

Financial professionals share how IBF designations changed their practice.

Robyn Austin

CFS®

My experience with the Institute, and specifically Michele Miller and Francine Darling, has been exceptional. Michele was patient with my many questions for at least a year before I enrolled in the program. And I appreciated Francine's consistent check-ins to see how I was progressing in the course. From my perspective the year deadline is ideal. As someone in the financial services industry, whose workload carries a multitude of tasks, the length of the program gave me time to learn the material. I am excited to continue my investment education, and I will gladly share my IBF experience with others.

Brad Reichert

CTS®

Francine Darling was fantastic in her consistent and encouraging check-in calls every 4-6 weeks. She kept me focused on this program and accountable for completing it by the final deadline. She has been my rock throughout this process, and I appreciate her efforts tremendously. She is a genuine credit to IBF and is a major reason why I will continue my studies here in the future.

Mary Mehlberg

CAS®

I learned a lot from this course, and I passed this information on to my supervisor. Now it is required for my team members.

Trusted by advisors at

Edward Jones

Raymond James

LPL Financial

Ameriprise

Northwestern Mutual

Morgan Stanley

Wells Fargo Advisors

Cetera Financial

Commonwealth

Cambridge

Edward Jones

Raymond James

LPL Financial

Ameriprise

Northwestern Mutual

Morgan Stanley

Wells Fargo Advisors

Cetera Financial

Commonwealth

Cambridge

Ready to go deeper?

Find the designation that fits your practice. No commitment, no credit card.

Find Your Designation → (800) 848-2029