Retirement Benefit Technician (Treasury)

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: This position is responsible for the accurate and timely calculation of benefits for the Employees' Retirement System and the maintenance of the present retiree pension payroll; and to do related work as required.

To professionally, courteously and respectfully treat all contacts with customers of the General Treasurer's Office including the public, other government agencies, the business community, fellow employees and any other customers, both in person, when answering incoming phone calls, emails, letters and any other form of contact, and to project a customer-friendly attitude committed to provide high quality customer service.

To perform duties as directed to support the operations of the General Treasurer's Office during times of increased departmental workloads, including but not limited to working on a temporary basis (not to exceed 3 months, which may be extended by mutual agreement) in the Crime Victim Compensation Program, General Administration, Business Processing, Employees' Retirement, Unclaimed Property and/or the Investment Division. Designated managers within each division will review work for conformance to established procedures and regulations. Employees will not be disciplined for their inability to meet job requirements which are specific to a position to which they are temporarily transferred. Experience, including working in other departments, may be considered as a factor in selecting employees for promotions and/or transfers to new positions.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of the Customer Experience Manager who reviews work for conformance to established procedures and regulations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

Illustrative Examples of Work Performed

• To perform accurate and timely calculations related to pension benefits. Such calculations may include (but not be limited to) calculations for death benefits and survivor benefits, including J&S continuance benefits and TSB benefits. Other computations may include pension payments and estimated benefit payments using the Pension Administration System (Ariel).

• To review death reports from multiple sources and take timely action as may be appropriate. Reports may include (but are not limited to): death reports from individuals via phone, email, fax, in-person or other methods; reviewing daily obituary listings; and running and/or analyzing reports from ERSRI's death reporting service.

• To prepare written correspondence related to death processing and benefits and to take appropriate action that may include (but is not limited to): reviewing incoming documents received from beneficiaries and requesting any missing information, terminating benefit payments, corresponding with deceased payee representatives, setting up A/R entries in the pension software system, requesting refunds of overpayments, updating beneficiary information, gathering documents needed to process claims, and related work.

• To review and evaluate incoming death benefit applications and requests from beneficiaries and deceased member representatives and to process updates of data in the pension administration software system when appropriate to ensure accurate processing of benefit payments. Respond to all questions and requests for assistance as needed from beneficiaries and estate representatives.

• Work with the Director of Member Services and designated retirement counseling staff as needed to process Active Death benefits, which may include lump sum payments as well as monthly benefits (OAP, TSB, public safety survivor benefits, etc.).

• Work with ERSRI's legal department to determine required documentation needed for processing of non-routine death-related claims and payments to beneficiaries and estates, A/R escalations/follow-up, QDRO processing required upon member or alternate payee death, and related matters.

• Work with the Accounting Division in the Retirement Office to request payment reversals and/or stop pay requests, to monitor A/R repayments, facilitate 1099-R corrections, and prepare and monitor follow-up correspondence and related tasks as needed.

• Work with the Director of Member Services and/or the Retirement System's Compliance Officer to monitor the ongoing required educational documentation for continued eligibility of minor children to receive survivor benefits. Assist with proactive monitoring of spouses reaching TSB benefit eligibility age and initiate benefits when appropriate.

• To perform other related duties such as

• Verify pension payroll information upon authorized request

• Act as liaison between banks and payees in situations related to direct deposit

• Submit requests for EFT voids and check stop-payments as well as replacement benefit checks/EFTs for payees. Provide replacement 1099s for members and estate representatives as needed.

• In addition, this position assists in the general operation of the Retirement Division and performs various tasks as directed by superiors, including providing phone back-up to the Front Desk when needed; and related work as required.

Required Qualifications for Appointment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, CAPACITIES: Must possess excellent organizational, customer service skills, and the ability to work independently. Must be detail oriented and have a working knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting. Must have strong communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to convey complex concepts to estate representatives and beneficiaries of the system. Must have a thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, personal computer spreadsheet application use (Excel) and the ability to quickly learn new computer applications needed to perform the described job duties.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Must have a minimum of high school education with a strong achievement in mathematics/accounting; an A.A. or B.A. degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.

At least 3 years of experience such as may have been gained through employment in a fiscal, benefit-processing, or customer service capacity in the insurance, banking, retirement, or benefits industries;

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above.

If an applicant is unable to perform any essential job function because of his/her disability but can achieve the required results by means of a REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, then the individual shall not be considered unqualified for the position.

NA

01

Are you a member of Council 94 Local 2884? (You must answer this question correctly to be considered based on your union affiliation. If you fail to answer this question correctly, you will not be entitled to be considered based on contractual provisions.)

• Yes

• No

02

Are you a state employee who is a member of Council 94? (You must answer this question correctly to be considered based on your union affiliation. If you fail to answer this question correctly, you will not be entitled to be considered based on contractual provisions).

• Yes

• No

Required Question

Agency State of Rhode Island

Address One Capitol Hill

Providence, Rhode Island, 02908

Website http://www.apply.ri.gov