Potential Returns for Individuals:
  
Becoming a CPCU is no easy task. So why should anyone put up with the demands on their time and energy required over (typically) several years to earn those four letters to put after their name? And then why spend even more time and money to become an active member of the CPCU Society?

The AICPCU/IIA and the CPCU Society have conducted numerous surveys into the benefits CPCUs receive from their designation and Society membership. In addition to the benefits enumerated elsewhere on this web site, CPCUs report:

• Higher incomes: Between two-thirds and three-quarters of the CPCUs surveyed claim their incomes increased due to their CPCUs. On average, CPCUs report earnings gains of 28 percent within five years of receiving their designations.

• Career advancement: More than one-half of CPCUs responding believe their CPCUs helped them move up within their companies, and seven out of ten say it helped their career advancement in the industry overall. And this is not something that happened only in the dim, distant past! More than 90 percent of recent CPCU designees (in the past five years) report the CPCU provided them with increased job opportunities.

• Increased job security: CPCUs repeatedly point out that their designation, and the commitment to professionalism and life long education it represents, has enhanced their job security during organizational transitions and consolidations (according to 86 percent of CPCUs). In fact, they credit their CPCUs with providing the confidence to face the future and tackle the challenges it may hold!

• Enhanced job satisfaction: CPCUs can join a Society of winners! According to the surveys, CPCUs experience enhanced personal growth and satisfaction, prestige, and improved job performance and effectiveness due to their designations.

• Networking: CPCU Society events provide a venue to meet and befriend the best in the industry. Visibility with industry leaders, access to a broad range of industry expertise, and membership in a community of professionals, are all available with the CPCU and Society membership. A benefit that can actually increase in value during difficult economic times!

• Continuing professional education: CPCU Society members can access educational programs at discounted prices that range from leadership and management skills development to technical seminars.

• Chapters and interest groups: CPCUs can sharpen their technical skills and contacts with access to all of the 14 CPCU Society interest groups as part of their annual membership. Local and regional industry concerns are addressed by the more than 150 local chapters of the CPCU Society.

Source: 2008 Survey of Recent CPCU Designees, conducted by the AICPCU/IIA. Contact: Adam Carmichael

CPCU Society Member Opinion Panel Surveys. Contact: Suzanne Kinsler