CFG Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CFG facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which Social Security claiming strategy involves one spouse claiming spousal benefits while the other spouse's benefit continues to grow? → Restricted application
2. What distinguishes a Certified Financial Gerontologist certified professional from a non-certified practitioner? → Certification validates competency through standardized assessment against benchmarks
3. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) principle applies to ALL CFG certified professionals regardless of their specific role? → PPE must be properly fitted, maintained, and replaced as needed
4. Which statement BEST describes the relationship between Certified Financial Gerontologist certification and industry evolution? → Requirements evolve periodically to reflect advances in knowledge and practice
5. Which government program is the primary payer for long-term care services in skilled nursing facilities for low-income older adults in the US? → Medicaid
6. How can older adults protect against fraud? → Stay informed and use advisors
7. Which of the following best describes the Social Security spousal benefit? → Up to 50% of the worker's primary insurance amount
8. How does inflation impact older adults' finances? → Reduces purchasing power
9. What is a durable power of attorney for healthcare? → Healthcare decision authorization
10. Which type of annuity provides a guaranteed income stream for the life of the annuitant with NO remaining value for heirs upon death? → Life-only (straight life) annuity
11. What is the MOST effective way for new CFG professionals to build competency? → Combining formal education, mentored practice, and ongoing professional development
12. What is a 'hybrid' or 'linked benefit' long-term care insurance policy? → A life insurance or annuity policy with a long-term care benefit rider
13. What is the MOST important principle of professional documentation in Certified Financial Gerontologist practice? → Recording information accurately, objectively, and in a timely manner
14. Late-life depression is often underdiagnosed in older adults primarily because: → Symptoms frequently overlap with medical conditions and normal aging
15. What is the 'spend-down' process in Medicaid long-term care planning? → Reducing countable assets to meet Medicaid eligibility thresholds
16. Normal age-related changes in sleep patterns include: → Longer sleep latency, more frequent awakenings, and less deep sleep
17. A client wants guaranteed income for both herself and her spouse, with payments continuing to the survivor. Which annuity payout option best fits? → Joint-and-survivor annuity
18. Which foundational principle is MOST important for success in Certified Financial Gerontologist? → Commitment to continuous learning, ethical practice, and quality outcomes
19. Which document appoints someone to make healthcare decisions on behalf of an incapacitated person, separate from a living will? → Healthcare proxy (healthcare power of attorney)
20. What is the Medicaid 'look-back period' for asset transfers, and what penalty applies for improper transfers? → 60 months; a period of Medicaid ineligibility proportional to the value transferred
21. An older adult rates her life as highly satisfying despite chronic pain and limited mobility. This phenomenon is known as: → The disability paradox or adaptation level effect
22. According to socioemotional selectivity theory (SST), older adults prioritize emotionally meaningful relationships because they: → Perceive time as limited and focus on goals that provide immediate rewards
23. Which program provides cash assistance to low-income elderly and disabled individuals who have limited Social Security work history? → Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
24. How does the CFG body of knowledge relate to daily professional practice? → It provides the foundational framework guiding decision-making and standard practices
25. Under Medicaid eligibility rules, what is the term for the minimum amount a community spouse may retain from the couple's combined assets? → Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA)
26. Which type of power of attorney remains effective even if the principal becomes incapacitated? → Durable power of attorney
27. Which of the following best describes the 'Special Enrollment Period' (SEP) for Medicare Part B? → An 8-month window to enroll after employer group health coverage ends
28. For a single individual in 2024, Social Security benefits become 85% taxable when combined income (AGI + nontaxable interest + 50% of SS benefits) exceeds: → $34,000
29. What role does social support play in aging? → Supports mental health
30. What is the PRIMARY reason for regulatory compliance in the Certified Financial Gerontologist profession? → To protect public safety, ensure quality, and maintain professional integrity