Retirement Benefits Specialist

Retirement Benefits Specialist

Human Resources

Paygrade 14

$23.03 hourly; $47,902.40 annual salary (Exempt)

** Internal candidates should apply via Polk One- Me Section **

Employee Benefits

• Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• FRS Retirement
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Education Incentives
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Wellness Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Employee Gym
• Free Employee Health Clinic

Musthavethephysical,developmentalandmentalabilitytoperformjobtasks,workefforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:

MAJORFUNCTION

The Retirement Benefits Specialist, under the supervision of the Benefits Supervisor, serves as the Florida Retirement System (FRS) site coordinator for the BoCC. This position verifies enrollment and reporting of employees in regularly established positions to the FRS. The Specialist also assists employees transitioning to retiree status by processing required FRS forms and continued participation in health insurance plans (medical, life, dental, and vision).

ILLUSTRATIVEDUTIES

• Retirement Coordination and Support

• Perform duties as the Florida Retirement System (FRS) site coordinator; ensure compliance with procedures, Florida Statutes, and administrative codes governing FRS.

• Verify enrollment and reporting of employees in established positions to the FRS.

• Meet with employees to answer questions regarding the retirement process, including FRS pension and investment plan enrollments, retirements, DROP enrollments/voids, and disability retirements.

• Assist eligible FRS Pension Plan members with the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), providing information about rollover plans, payment options, and tax effects.

• Report retiree or joint annuitant deaths to FRS and coordinate required actions.

• Employee and Retiree Benefits Administration

• Present FRS overviews during onboarding and new employee orientation.

• Inform retirees of health benefit options and assist with processing elections.

• Provide support during annual open enrollment.

• Coordinate with FRS and health benefit providers to deliver retirement and/or health insurance benefits to retirees and dependents.

• Ensure proper contribution amounts from employees and employers in accordance with FRS rates.

• Records, Billing, and System Management

• Maintain and update retiree and benefits databases for accurate billing and account reconciliation.

• Process monthly non-FRS invoices, weekly payments, and bank deposits for retiree accounts.

• Manage changes in retiree status, including address changes, insurance updates, deaths, divorces, and Medicare eligibility at age 65.

• Produce audits of retiree accounts and prepare related correspondence.

• Respond to billing inquiries and customer complaints regarding retiree accounts.

• Administrative and Compliance Support

• Respond to incoming calls/messages on the Benefits Hotline and resolve routine retiree and FRS-related concerns.

• Complete 13-week wage statements for workers’ compensation, as required.

• Assist Payroll with FRS error reports.

• Maintain official records in compliance with BoCC records management and public records policies.

• Compile records to satisfy public record requests.

• Send pre-65 communications to retirees and dependents regarding Medicare eligibility.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of Florida Statutes and administrative codes governing the Florida Retirement System.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

• Strong analytical skills to perform data analyses and interpret benefit contracts.

• Business and financial acumen with understanding of basic accounting.

• Excellent communication skills to present, advise, and support employees and retirees.

MINIMUMQUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED) from an accredited institution required.

• Four (4) years of experience in retirement, benefits administration, financial planning, or actuarial services.

• ValidDriver’slicenserequired;mustobtainaFloridalicenseuponemployment.Mustmaintainaclean driving record to operate an assigned county vehicle.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Human Resources, or a related field, with two (2) years of HR benefits administration experience.
• HRCI Certification (PHR, SPHR).
• SHRM Certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP).
• Bilingual in English/Spanish.

SPECIALREQUIREMENTS

• May be required to drive a County or personal vehicle for work.

Allemployeeswillberequiredtoworkbefore,during,orafteranemergency.Duringanemergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.