Why is a CDFA professional NOT considered a pension valuator?

A CDFA professional is not considered a pension valuator primarily because only an actuary has the specific qualifications and expertise to perform official pension valuations. Actuaries are specially trained in the mathematical and financial aspects of pensions, including complex calculations related to future liabilities, mortality rates, and funding status. This specialized training is necessary to produce legally recognized pension valuations, often required in divorce proceedings and other legal contexts.

While CDFAs have a significant understanding of financial issues related to divorce, including the equitable distribution of marital assets and liabilities, they do not engage in the technical assessments required to value pensions accurately. While they might help clients understand the financial implications of pension divisions and provide insight into overall financial planning during and after a divorce, they lack the actuarial certification needed to issue formal pension valuations. Their role is more about bridging the gap between legal professionals and clients regarding financial perspectives, rather than performing technical actuarial work.

In contrast to the other options, the role of a CDFA does not exclude engagement with retirement funds in general, nor does it limit them solely to property division; their expertise encompasses a broader financial picture in relation to divorce but remains separate from the specific skill set of pension valuation that actuaries possess.