Description

SUMMARY

The Benefits Specialist’s primary responsibilities are administration and customer service for the WELS Pension Plan and the WELS 403(b) Shepherd Plan, which provide retirement benefits to WELS workers and their beneficiaries. Serves as the initial contact for WELS/ELS workers and ministries for most inquiries related to the WELS Benefit Plans. Works with several eligibility and financial systems to ensure timely and accurate processing of participation and billing data. Assists Benefit Plans Office (BPO) management with administrative and clerical support related to all benefit plans work.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides primary support for Pension Plan administration including benefit commencement/termination activities, housing allowance information, and coordination of work with Pension Plan trust custodian personnel.
• Provides primary support for Shepherd Plan administration including coordination of eligibility data and minister of the gospel status with Shepherd Plan vendors, reconciliation of employer billing and participant contribution records, and receivables tracking.
• Understands Pension Plan and Shepherd Plan provisions and applies them to individual participant situations.
• Maintains and processes records and documents necessary for commencing and/or terminating pension benefits. Updates administration system to document benefit election actions.
• Customer service responsibilities for Pension Plan and Shepherd Plan including coordination of medical benefits with employment status.
• Monitors WELS call reports for benefit eligibility and service record changes.
• Runs regular reports from database related to Pension Plan and Shepherd Plan administration.
• Monitors health/welfare benefit enrollment changes to fulfill mailing of plan materials to members. Coordinates planning for quarterly VEBA and Retirement Program Commission meetings including meeting room and hotel arrangements, teleconference details, food and mailing of meeting materials.
• Coordinates claims for group term life and long-term disability plans.
• Reconciles monthly financial statements.
• Prepares and reconciles monthly insurance carrier invoices and reports.
• Provides miscellaneous clerical duties including filing, ordering of office supplies, call distribution and support of BPO management staff.
• Assists BPO management in the coordination of passing eligibility and participation information to vendors.
• Assists BPO management staff and communications team in developing participant communication materials.

These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to perform this job. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or equivalency required. This position requires advanced skills in office management support gained through at least three years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Must have excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint software. Experience with database management in a human resources or insurance office setting is preferred. Experience working with, or base knowledge of graphic applications and interactive development tools (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Acrobat and HTML) is a plus.