What are the responsibilities and job description for the Benefit Processor Associate --Hybrid position at Teacher Retirement System of Texas?
WHO WE ARE:
In the Benefits Services Division, we cultivate connection with our 1.7 million valued members by striving for excellence through counseling and administering benefits for retirees, active members, and employers. It is our goal to ensure our members have personalized service for pension benefits every day. Joining our fast-paced team you’ll have the opportunity to create meaningful experiences by learning the ins and outs of our business alongside a diverse committed community. Through coaching and mentorship, you’ll gain the skills you need to achieve your career goals at TRS while earning
member trust and making a positive impact in their lives.
TRS is growing and looking to hire multiple Benefit Processor Associates. These positions are hybrid, with limited work in office. We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits, a retirement pension and work/life balance in a dynamic environment. If you have the skill set and the passion to serve our members, come apply!
The Benefit Processor Associate is responsible for processing TRS members records, and providing customer services. The incumbent will review member records and process routine request in an on-the-job training environment. This position will proactively work with the benefit processing team, Benefit Services staff, and agency employees.
This position is posted at two levels (Benefit Processor Associate and Benefit Processor). Candidates with TRS experience may qualify for the Benefit Processor. Selected applicants will be offered position and salary based on their education and experience.
Starting salary range:
Benefit Processor Associate: $45,000-$50,000 annual
Benefit Processor: $50,000 annual
**Work-from-home opportunities are available; however, some in office work will be required.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Member Record Review
- Actively participates in the TRS Benefit Processing training program.
- Performs research and analysis of member records to ensure accuracy and completeness of information and to determine eligibility for one or more types of benefit or service, such as service credit purchase, retirement estimates, service retirement, disability retirement, death benefits, refunds, or account maintenances.
- Verifies member’s name, address, and other demographic information.
- Reviews the member account to determine amount of creditable service and/or eligibility for routine refund, retirement, and reinstatement of withdrawn service.
- Updates or corrects demographic information, makes adjustments to correct service information, and re-indexes imaged documents.
- Communicates with members, school districts, alternate payees, attorneys, executors, and other interested parties to verify or obtain member information and to provide information regarding annuity verifications, account balances, and complex agency laws, regulations, procedures, and processes.
- Utilizes TRS systems to retrieve and research member data. (Benefit Processor)
Benefit Processing
- Reviews documents for authenticity and accuracy, and processes requests relating to assigned benefit program(s).
- May process lump sum refunds of member contributions including accounts involving Optional Retirement Program (ORP), Partial Lump Sum Option (PLSO), and/or Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs).
- May prepare cost statements for purchase of TRS service based on withdrawn service, military service, unreported service, and out of state service.
- May verify the legitimacy of beneficiary designations and finalizes payments for death claims for members/retirees, including those with specialized issues such as QDROs.
- May process retirement estimates.
- May finalize applications for retirement and authorizes entry onto the annuity payroll.
- May review Power of Attorney documents (Benefit Processor)
Training & Technical Assistance (Benefit Processor)
- Reviews and validates the work of other Benefit Processors for accuracy, completeness, and correct application of routine laws, policies, and procedures.
- Assists in training and providing technical assistance to team members on Benefit Processing related laws, regulation, policies, procedures, and processes.
- Assists in analyzing and recommending changes to departmental procedures and systems.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
Required Education
- High school diploma or equivalent.
Benefit Processor Associate Required Experience
- One (1) year of full-time experience in banking, accounting, claims processing, benefit processing, or a customer service-related position involving interpreting, applying, and communicating complex laws, regulations, and policies.
- Preferred education may substitute for the required experience.
Benefit Processor Required Experience
- Two (2) years of full-time experience in banking, accounting, claims processing, benefit processing, or a customer service-related position involving interpreting, applying, and communicating complex laws, regulations, and policies.
- Preferred education may substitute for up to one (1) year of the above required experience.
- One (1) year of full-time experience in TRS Benefit Services or a TRS position requiring the interpretation and application of agency laws, rules, policies, and processes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Experience reviewing government, legal, or financial documents.
- Experience processing retirement benefits claims.
Knowledge of
- TRS benefit programs.
- General office procedures and basic customer service principles.
Skill in
- Planning, organizing, and prioritizing work assignments to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced and changing environment, and completing detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.
- Reviewing documentation; properly applying complex laws, regulations, rules, and policies; and making decisions based on sound judgment.
- Using a computer in a Windows environment with Microsoft Office word processing,
- Effectively communicating detailed and technical information.
- Providing quality customer service.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Codes:
Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty (http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_AdministrativeSupport.pdf ) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Talent Acquisition at careers@trs.texas.gov with questions or for additional information.
To view all job vacancies, visit www.trs.texas.gov/careers or www.trs.csod.com/careersite.
For more information, visit www.trs.texas.gov.
Salary : $45,000 - $50,000