An EPS has five major components:

Purpose and Background - This section of the document explains the basics of the plan, such as the plan name, the plan type, the current assets, the number of eligible participants and a list of service providers. The reason for having the EPS is also stated, which is typically to retain employees by offering continuing employee investment education.
Plan Objectives - The primary goals and objectives for the education plan are outlined under this section. This includes raising the level of employee readiness for retirement by: establishing the official criteria for observing, evaluating and analyzing the plan's service providers; maximizing employee enrollment in the plan; assessing the adequacy of funds at retirement; assisting participants in setting their retirement plan goals; etc.
Roles and Responsibilities - This area identifies which individuals are responsible for which plan objective. This normally includes plan sponsor, fiduciary, the financial advisor and record keeper.
Performance Standards - In this portion of the EPS, the specific goals for the education plan are outlined. This also includes the plan's metrics for measuring the plan results.
Results - This section sets specific timelines for evaluation and assigns a grade to each area evaluated, which is particularly important since this will identify any weaknesses within the education plan.

The EPS should also include a list of investment materials that is provided to participants, as well as a list of topics discussed at participant education meetings. Subjects, such as enrollment, the importance of participation, risk/return, compounding, asset allocation, diversification, mutual funds, stock, market volatility, rollovers, etc., are typical concepts that participants should know and understand at the end of their education session.

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