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Every new trustee should start with a solid foundation. NCPERS Trustee Essentials Training provides the core knowledge and practical insights every trustee needs to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities with confidence. 

NCPERS UNIVERSITY

2026 Trustee Essentials Training

Every new trustee should start with a solid foundation. NCPERS Trustee Essentials Training provides the core knowledge and practical insights every trustee needs to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities with confidence. 

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This Event Has Concluded | May 16–17, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV

An attendee laughs at NCPERS Trustee Essentials Training, Las Vegas 2026About NCPERS Trustee Essentials Training (formerly known as TEDS)

Thank you to our 2026 attendees for making this year's training — held prior to the NCPERS Annual Conference & Exhibition from May 16–17 in Las Vegas — a success! We appreciate your contributions and hope to see you again soon.

The Trustee Essentials Training is designed to provide new trustees and public pension plan staff with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to make informed decisions and effectively fulfill their fiduciary duties. Join us next year May 15-16, 2027 in New York City. Sign up to be notified when registration for 2027 opens.

This interactive, expert-led program (formerly known as the Trustee Educational Seminar, or TEDS) covers the fundamentals of investing, actuarial science, board policies, and plan governance. 

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Public pension trustees engage at the Trustee Essentials Training, Las Vegas 2026

What's Offered at the Trustee Essentials Training 

Topics covered include:

  • Plan governance and fiduciary duty fundamentals
  • Actuarial valuations and understanding your actuarial funding policy
  • Navigating your investment role as a trustee, including asset allocation and investment basics

Participants walked away with new skills and new connections. With dedicated receptions and interactive learning experiences, it's easy to get to know your peers from across the country.
By attending NCPERS Trustee Essentials Training, attendees could also earn up to 12 Continuing Education (CE) hours.

View the 2026 AgendaAbout NCPERS Continuing Education

Put Your Skills to the Test with the Asset Allocation Challenge

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Asset Allocation Challenge! Each year, attendees put their knowledge to the test in this always popular team-based competition. Teams compete to build the strongest investment portfolio by applying the principles they've learned throughout the program. It’s a fun, competitive way to test decision-making, strategy, and collaboration — culminating in one winning team and a deeper understanding of effective asset allocation strategies to apply long after the competition wraps up.

Who Should Attend the 2027 Trustee Essentials Training?

  • New Trustees (0-4 years of experience) – start your trustee journey by mastering the fundamentals so you’ll be prepared to effectively fulfill your fiduciary duty.
  • Plan Administrators – sample the Trustee Essentials Training to see if it can be integrated into your onboarding process for new trustees and staff. 
  • Pension Staff – be better prepared to do your job as a key implementer of policies and critical fund initiatives.

Continue your path to fiduciary excellence with NCPERS University. Join us next year May 15-16, 2027 in New York City. Sign up to be notified when registration for 2027 opens.

Please note: Your organization must be a current member of NCPERS to participate. To verify your status, please contact membership@ncpers.org.

About NCPERS Membership

Frequently Asked Questions: NCPERS Trustee Essentials Training

The Trustee Educational Seminar, previously known as TEDS, was renamed Trustee Essentials Training in 2026 to better reflect the program’s focus on core knowledge and practical responsibilities every trustee needs. While the name has changed, the program’s commitment to quality, high standards, and foundational education remains the same.
Yes. If you completed TEDS prior to 2026, the continuing education credits you earned will still count.
Materials are available onsite at the registration desk, where attendees pick up their badges. After each program, some slides may be shared on our website if the speaker has agreed to make the materials available.
Yes. Your organization must be a current member of NCPERS at the time of registration.
Registration rates for upcoming offerings will be posted when registration opens. The fee includes program materials, breakfast, refreshment breaks, lunch, and a reception for all NCPERS University attendees.
No. Registration for this course is separate from registration.
No. There is no guest registration for this program. Guest registration policies for any associated NCPERS conference are handled separately.
No. NCPERS Trustee Essentials Training (formerly known as the Trustee Educational Seminar, or TEDS) is designed for new trustees to help you develop the fundamental knowledge needed to fulfill your fiduciary duties.
No. Pre-registration is required, and class size is limited, so early registration is strongly recommended.
No. The Trustee Essentials Training is offered in person only at this time.
Yes, NCPERS University is designed to help you progressively build your fiduciary knowledge. After mastering the basics, you can continue learning with NCPERS Fiduciary in Focus Workshop and Advanced Fiduciary Institute. These can be taken in any order.
  • NCPERS Fiduciary in Focus Workshop (formerly known as Program for Advanced Trustee Studies, or PATS). Each fall, this program dives deep into two timely, high-impact topics, giving trustees and plan staff the expertise to tackle today’s most pressing fiduciary challenges. 
  • NCPERS Advanced Fiduciary (NAF) Institute is where pension professionals and experienced trustees go to master the skills needed to strengthen their retirement systems. Through real-world case studies and tailored insights, you’ll learn advanced strategies to enhance board performance, ensure compliance, manage risk, and address workforce challenges. Once you complete all four modules, you’ll have the opportunity to earn your Advanced Fiduciary (AF) credential.  
Yes. Continuing education credits are available for eligible attendees. Please note that this program does not offer CPE credits, as NCPERS is not currently a CPE sponsor.
After your attendance is verified, your certificate will be posted to your NCPERS membership profile within two weeks of the event.
The Trustee Essentials Training program follows a standing agenda that covers core topics essential for trustees and staff. When speaking opportunities are available, proposals are accepted through the Annual Conference and Exhibition Call for Speakers. You can submit your proposal through that process for consideration.

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Mastered the Basics? Continue Learning with NCPERS University...

Fiduciary in Focus Workshop

Take your learning to the next level with NCPERS Fiduciary in Focus Workshop (formerly known as Program for Advanced Trustee Studies, or PATS). Each fall, this program dives deep into two timely, high-impact topics, giving trustees and plan staff the expertise to tackle critical challenges. Hands-on exercises, collaborative discussions, and expert guidance in a small classroom setting help participants translate complex issues into actionable strategies. Learn more. 

Advanced Fiduciary Institute

Held annually in both the spring and fall, NCPERS Advanced Fiduciary (NAF) Institute is where pension professionals and experienced trustees go to master the skills needed to strengthen their retirement systems. Through real-world case studies and tailored insights, you’ll learn advanced strategies to enhance board performance, ensure compliance, manage risk, and address workforce challenges. Once you complete all four modules, you’ll have the opportunity to earn your Advanced Fiduciary (AF) credential. Learn more. 

Questions? Contact NCPERS’ Education Associate, Jessica Ransome, at jransome@ncpers.org or call 202-601-2449.

Other Educational Resources

NCPERS Webinars

Stay connected and continue your learning from anywhere with NCPERS Webinars. These live and on-demand sessions cover timely topics in public pension governance, investment strategies, risk management, and much more—led by industry experts.

NCPERS Research

NCPERS research provides key insights and solutions on public pension issues, from funding and sustainability to healthcare and finance. Stay informed, benchmark your fund, and make data-driven decisions. Sign up to be notified of new studies and access exclusive survey data.

NCPERS Publications

NCPERS publications provide members with timely insights and analysis on the most important issues affecting public pensions. These resources help you stay informed, make better decisions, and keep ahead of industry trends.

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