The Chartered Retirement Advisor (CRA) is Equalifi’s specialised qualification in retirement planning. It recognises a professional’s commitment to, and competence in, helping individuals and families prepare for, transition into and live through retirement with confidence: estimating retirement needs, building the corpus, converting it into reliable lifetime income, and protecting it against longevity, inflation, market and health risks.
The CRA covers the foundations of financial planning, the retirement landscape in India and globally, retirement planning principles and methodology, retirement risks, government and employer retirement schemes, the National Pension System, investment planning and asset allocation, retirement income products, the design of optimal retirement income streams, tax issues for retirees, housing and living arrangements, healthcare and long-term care, estate planning, special situations, global and cross-border retirement, behavioural finance and the ageing client, planning tools and calculators, building and presenting a retirement plan, and the fiduciary, ethical and regulatory responsibilities of advisers.
The CRA is designed to upskill financial advisers and wealth managers so they can provide broader retirement planning advice, recognise and accommodate client complexity, and meet evolving client needs. It ensures that candidates understand not only the range of retirement planning tools and products available in the market, but also the right concepts, behaviour and conduct required to navigate a complex regulatory landscape.
The CRA is assessed through a single MCQ examination, with knowledge, application and case-based questions drawn from real client situations.
Who should take the exam?
Financial advisers and planners, investment advisers, wealth managers and private bankers, mutual fund distributors, insurance and pension professionals, NPS points of presence, HR, payroll and employee benefits professionals, and professionals who advise senior citizens, pre-retirees, business owners and NRIs on their retirement.
Important
The CRA is an educational qualification awarded by Equalifi. It does not constitute a regulatory licence or authorisation to provide investment advice or to distribute financial, insurance or pension products. Professionals providing these services in India must meet the applicable SEBI, IRDAI and PFRDA registration and certification requirements.
Exam details
Equalifi offers the examination through an external, remote-proctored platform. Once registration and payment are confirmed, candidates receive an exam link by email. Candidates may schedule and take the exam within one year of registration, from any location, subject to the platform’s requirements.
Candidates need a reliable internet connection and a computer with a working camera. Please read the technical and exam-day instructions before starting the exam.
| Sr. No. | Name of Module | Type of Questions | Test Duration | No. of Questions | Passing Criteria | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chartered Retirement Advisor (CRA) | MCQ | 2 hours | 100 | 60% | 20% per incorrect answer |
Validity
The CRA does not expire.
Candidate audit
Equalifi randomly audits a percentage of applications on a regular basis. Candidates are responsible for providing the requested supporting documentation to verify the education and professional background stated in their registration form. Equalifi does not contact employers or educational institutions to obtain verification documents on a candidate’s behalf.
Candidates selected for audit will be notified by email and will have 10 business days to respond. They must meet the audit requirements before receiving the CRA.
Failure to comply with the audit, falsification or misrepresentation of information, or any unprofessional conduct will result in denial or cancellation of the registration and/or revocation of the CRA, and all fees will be forfeited. A candidate who does not comply with an audit will also be subject to audit when reapplying in future.
Fee details
Exam fee: INR 3,540
Fee is inclusive of GST. The exam fee applies to each attempt.
Access Pass benefits
Fee waiver: Equalifi Chartered, Professional and Virtual Pass holders receive a 50% waiver on the exam fee.
Learn more about the Equalifi Access Pass.
Exam preparation: For stronger exam readiness, candidates are encouraged to attend Equalifi’s live Retirement Advising skill-building programme, along with its executive education programmes and masterclasses. Access Pass holders receive a 10% to 50% fee waiver based on their pass category.