Assistant Retirement Counselor (Retirement Coordinator)

Job Title : Assistant Retirement Counselor (Retirement Coordinator)

Department: Retirement Services

Reports To: Supervisor, Retirement Services

FLSA Status: Local 153—Non-Exempt

Summary: Provide confidential retirement counseling as a case manager to active, inactive, disabled, and retired members of a labor union; assist them in understanding benefit calculations, methods of retirement payments and taxability of retirement income; review ancillary retiree benefits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Make initial and follow-up calls to members who are applying for retirement.
• Interpret retirement rules and communicate pension application procedures and requirements for member retirements, pre-retirement surviving spouses, and post-retirement surviving spouses.
• Pension application intake (review the application with the member, notarize documents as needed).
• Review the accuracy of all received pension applications.
• Record pension elections in V3 and establish disbursement schedules.
• Ensure required supporting documents are submitted and determine needs for additional information to meet requirements.
• Coordinate all communications with members, including but not limited to Acknowledgement Letters, Missing Information Letters, and Award Letters.
• Review members eligibility for retiree health benefits.
• Discuss SRSP (401(k)) distribution options with members.
• Discuss Legal Fund benefits with members.
• Provide an overview of Social Security and Medicare benefits to retiring members.
• Assess the need for detailed earnings reports from the Social Security Administration to assist in finalizing the calculation of pension service credits and review such reports with members.
• Participate in retirement planning seminars by presenting pension information to large groups.
• When not providing retirement counseling, work on processing pension applications and calculations, including RMD calculations, reinstatements, and other duties including but not limited to Banking procedures (stop payments, check reissues and EFT changes).
• Work closely with Manger in maintaining and reviewing personal work production.
• Perform tasks and special projects as required by management/supervisory staff.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of one year’s experience processing pension claims/calculations or one year customer service experience with pension products.

• Knowledge of some aspects of Pension Fund administration including eligibility requirements and benefit provisions preferred.
• Must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Must meet performance standards including attendance and punctuality.

Technical Skills:

• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• A demonstrated capability to manipulate and use multiple software programs simultaneously including Excel, Microsoft Word, and Windows applications.

• Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills.
• Strong ability to multitask.
• Flexibility with work schedule (some overtime required).

Interpersonal Skills:

• Ability to coordinate and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Detail oriented with excellent organization skills.
• Ability to work independently coupled with the ability to work as a member of a fast-paced team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with project team members, supervisors, and employees from other departments.

Education and /or Experience:

• College degree in math, accounting, economics or similar preferred.
• Call center experience is a plus.
• Financial customer service background is a plus.
• Notary Public license helpful (will be required to obtain license if not already licensed).