Benefits Analyst

Who we are:

AFSCME is one of the largest, most diverse unions in the country, with over a million members working in both the public and private sectors. AFSCME has been a leader in racial, social and economic justice within the labor movement and society at large. AFSCME’s members provide vital public services that make America happen. We are nurses, childcare providers, school/university support staff, library workers, EMTs, health care providers, sanitation workers and many more public servants. AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity for all working families. We not only stand for fairness at the bargaining table — we fight for fairness in our communities and in the halls of government.

We are seeking a Benefits Analyst with a background in accounting, data analysis, and administrative support for our benefits administration and pension calculation team.  We hope that’s you!

If you are a recent graduate or an HR/Benefits professional who is interested in working with pension and other related benefits, this opportunity could be a great fit for you!

We are seeking a candidate with one to five years of experience in benefits administration with an accounting background gained through education, work or internships. The position requires data analysis, accounting, and administrative support for various human resources and benefit plan operations. This includes data collection and record-keeping for AFSCME's employee benefit plans covering employees from over 50 AFSCME affiliates and AFSCME IU staff.

The successful candidate will assist in the alignment of HR and benefit data, and administrative operations. The position includes responsibility for contact with benefit providers, plan participants (including staff and retirees) and affiliates as needed. Other responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists in the overall administration of the Pension and related benefit plans by managing and interpreting plan documents to ensure compliance.
• Calculates estimated pension amounts using complex spreadsheets and large datasets, analyzing pension records to determine benefit eligibility, vesting status, survivor options, disability benefits, and retirement payouts options.
• Performs detailed data reconciliation, conducts audits, and prepares financial statements to ensure accurate bookkeeping and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Review and verify employer and employee participation records, including census data, to ensure accuracy and compliance with employee benefit plan provisions.
• Collects data necessary to perform required compliance testing and IRS filing for qualified benefit plans.
• Create, update and verify benefit and HR related data and records including staff, participant and affiliate contact lists necessary for overall administration of benefit plans.
• Prepare benefit-related correspondence and distribute notifications required to ensure compliance with benefit plan provisions and applicable laws.
• Monitors and maintains the accuracy of payables and receivables related to Pension, Health, Life, and 401(k) plan payments, ensuring timely processing and compliance with plan requirements.
• Acts as liaison with employee service providers, AFSCME affiliates, plan participants and AFSCME’s Departments, as needed.
• Resolves confidential employee questions or issues relating to benefits by reviewing benefit plan policies and procedures.
• Process enrollments, retirements, and terminations for the employee benefit plans.

Skills and Experience Requirements: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in benefits, accounting or human resources systems or relevant work history, including experience or training in Benefits and HRIS database systems which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong analytical and mathematical skills with the ability to perform complex calculations.
• Excellent attention to details and accuracy in working with numerical data.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills to identify and resolve pension plan issues.
• Advance ability and skills necessary to use spreadsheets and other software (including Excel, automated accounting and HRIS systems) to create and manipulate data to achieve required reports.
• Knowledge of employee benefit plans, including defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, health, life insurance, STD, LTD and AD&D benefit plans.
• Knowledge of administrative processes and procedures for retirement, health and other employee benefit plans.
• Knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, 401(k) regulations and other employment and benefit related laws and policies.
• Knowledge of Benefits and Human Resources practices, procedures and policies.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Professionalism including an understanding of the requirements of confidentiality.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively interact and provide high customer service support with internal departments and plan participants.
• Ability to apply policies and procedures, conduct research, and make logical conclusions.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a deadline-driven environment.
• Travel and extended work hours may be required.