BENEFITS ANALYST - 6048400

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Benefits Supervisor, the Benefits Analyst I performs a variety of complex tasks such as processing and calculating one type of claim (retirement, refund and single sum, APB, disability, or survivor benefit) or calculating five types of optional service adjustments with proficiency. This position is responsible for responding to inquiries regarding benefit claims or optional service adjustments and working with the Benefits Supervisor to accomplish assigned tasks. In addition, this position provides technical and clerical support to the Benefits Department.

Essential Functions

• Organize refund and single sum, disability, APB, survivor benefits, and/or retirement applications for claim processing as needed.
• Provide technical and clerical support to the benefits department including but not limited to preparing letters for review and approval, mailing, scanning, and recording receipt of documents.
• Review daily work and determine how work should be distributed throughout the unit including identifying “Rush” requests.
• Calculate one type of claim or five types of optional service adjustments using the appropriate applications for verification by another analyst.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Review, analyze, and interpret homebound documentation, W2 forms, Social Security Itemized Statement of Earnings and other pertinent documentation sent to TRS from the member or their employer with assistance from more senior staff members. 
• Audit member records to determine eligibility for benefits or optional service.
• Respond to inquiries and correspondence received from members and internal staff. Modify standard letters or create customized letters, as needed.
• Review and submit Excess Contribution Refunds and 1% Survivor Benefit Refunds. Follow up with members, school districts, retirement systems, and financial institutions as necessary.
• Participate in the Mandatory Distribution research as needed.
• Participate in the Member Accumulated Contribution research project as needed.
• Print reciprocal service histories via the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and State Universities Retirement System (SURS) website and maintain a follow up system with the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) via email or phone contact when required or requested.
• Calculate removals of at least five types of optional service adjustments where no payments have been made as needed.
• Receive, review, and process out of state verification forms (OSV’s) regarding past Illinois teaching service.  Send responses to member or employer as required
• Prepare Social Security income verifications as needed.
• Assist in special projects using the agile scrum methodology as needed.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in math, statistics, accounting, education, business, or a related degree OR Candidates without a degree must possess four (4) years of progressive responsibility in a related business or education field.
• Preferred experience with pensions, benefits and or employee relations.
• Critical skills required are analytical skills, computational skills, communication skills and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to utilize existing computer applications and interact effectively both verbally and through written correspondence with members.