Benefits and Retirement Specialist

Position Title: Human Resources Benefits & Retirement Specialist

Location: This role is performed onsite in Orchard Park, NY.  A hybrid work schedule may be available based on performance and time in position.  

Position Summary:

The HR Benefit & Retirement Specialist is responsible for directing and planning the day-to-day operations of group benefit programs and assisting with the administration of all benefits and retirement programs, including medical, dental, flex spending, vision, supplemental life insurances, short and long-term disability, supplemental benefits and deferred compensation.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as the College point of contact for all benefit related matters that provides primary benefit support to the entire College.  Assists in the management of the benefits plan annual review and renewal process.
• Processes enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, A&D and life claims, rollovers, distributions, loans, hardship withdrawals, part time benefit eligibility (ACA, SECRUE ACT 2.0 and 1,000 hours) and compliance testing and audits.

• Coordinates the resolution of benefit vendor issues. Serves as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators.

• Implements and maintains group benefit associate records in HRIS. Prepares regular benefit reports extracting data from Business Intelligence to audit against coordination of benefits.

• Develops training material and conducts formal and informal training sessions for Campus Human Resources Coordinators and end users. Designs and distributes materials for open enrollment, life events, as well as conducting presentations to enhance understanding of the College's benefits package.  

• Responsible for the administration of the Affordable Care Act in the HRIS along with ensuring safe harbor codes for Form1095c. Ensures forms are updated throughout the year to ensure annual filings are submitted to the IRS seamlessly (Federal & State).

• Successfully administers retiree benefit plans. Meets with associates to discuss retirement benefit options, process benefit elections and Open Enrollment changes for retiree medical, dental and vision (under 65 and over 65). Coordinate Open Enrollment meetings. Provide invoices or coupons to retirees for premium payment. Process/submit annual CMS notifications and send Creditable Coverage letters to active full-time Medicare eligible associates. Provide retiree premium payment reports to finance for annual budgeting needs.

• Oversees maintenance and transfer of employee benefits via EDI files, interfaces, exports and imports as well as updating of employee payroll records. Creates and maintains reports utilizing appropriate reporting tools to measure data integrity by conducting regularly scheduled audits.

• Works effectively to ensure the benefits plans are executed efficiently and effectively. Investigates discrepancies and provides information in non-routine situations. Works independently in identifying and resolving issues, concerns and problems using troubleshooting and analytical skills.

• Must have effective organizational and interpersonal skills as well as excellent written and verbal communications skills. Documents and maintains administrative procedures for assigned benefit processes. Works effectively, independently and follows through on all inquiries to internal and external customers.  Ability to handle multiple and parallel projects.

• Strong understanding of HR processes and data integrity is required as well as a strong understanding of HRIS, design, integration, and workflow processes. It is critical to understand the integration between the HRIS and vendors in relation to Open Enrollment, Life Events, payroll and HR.

• Maintains quality and consistency of HRIS information. Coordinates daily benefits processing. Ensures compliance with applicable government regulations as well as ensuring timeliness and accuracy of required filings. Troubleshoots, analyzes, detects, and identifies technical problems and deficiencies.

 

Other benefit duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Corporate level Plan Administrator experience is required.  
• Bachelor's degree in a related field, Masters degree preferred.  Life, Accident and Health License a plus. 
• 5-10 years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency in incorporating the use of technology. 
• Strong HRIS and computer skills r