Benefits - Benefit Spec

About the role

The Benefits Specialist / Senior Benefits Specialist role is ideal for a benefits professional who enjoys helping people, solving complex benefit questions, and serving as a trusted resource for associates throughout their employment and retirement journey. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while supporting associates across the organization.

Reports To

Benefits Manager

Why You'll Love This Role

WoodmenLife is seeking a Benefits Specialist or Senior Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys a combination of customer service, operational administration, problem-solving, retirement planning support, and associate education.

About the Team

• Resides within Human Resources
• Responsible for administering and supporting all associate benefit programs across WoodmenLife
• Works closely with Payroll, Human Resources, Sales, Member Customer Service, external vendors, and benefit carriers
• Current team initiatives include: Benefits education and communication, Annual Enrollment, Pension administration, 401(k) administration, Benefits process improvements, Compliance and audit support

Role Summary

• Serves as a key resource for associate benefits administration and retirement support
• Administers associate benefit programs, manages benefit enrollments and changes, supports retirement processes, oversees billing activities, responds to associate and retiree inquiries, coordinates with vendors, and supports compliance initiatives
• Depending on experience and level, the individual may also mentor others, lead projects, support audits, and serve as a subject matter expert on complex benefits issues

What You'll Do

Benefits Administration & Customer Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for associates, retirees, and sales representatives regarding benefit programs
• Respond to benefit-related phone calls, emails, and inquiries
• Research and resolve routine complex benefit issues and discrepancies
• Educate associates on available health, welfare, disability, life insurance, wellness, pension, and 401(k) benefits
• Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and coverage changes
• Administer COBRA benefits for terminated associates and sales representatives
• Cook up disability benefit administration and return-to-work activities
• Process wellness reimbursements and incentive programs
• Cook up coordination of collection of missed premium payments when necessary

Retirement Administration Support

• Support administration of pension and 401(k) plans
• Ensure retirement processes are completed accurately and timely
• Prepare pension estimates, valuations, and calculations using vendor tools
• Cook up coordination of retirement distributions and participant communications
• Support retirement-related audits and reporting activities

Billing, Auditing & Vendor Management

• Manage monthly benefits billing activities
• Audit enrollment, payroll, vendor, and billing data to ensure accuracy
• Research and resolve enrollment discrepancies and vendor issues
• Process vendor payments accurately and on schedule
• Maintain strong relationships with insurance carriers, benefit vendors, brokers, and consultants
• Compile and analyze benefit data to support reporting and decision-making

Life Insurance & Survivor Benefits

• Administer Group Term Life benefits
• Process beneficiary claims and payments
• Monitor associate and retiree death notifications
• Cook up coordination of survivor and beneficiary benefit administration

Communication & Employee Education

• Assist with and/or lead new associate benefits orientation
• Support Annual Enrollment activities and communications
• Develop benefits communications, presentations, employee guides, SharePoint content, and educational materials
• Help associates understand benefit offerings and retirement options

Compliance & Process Improvement

• Stay current on benefit compliance regulations and industry trends
• Support compliance initiatives related to: ERISA, COBRA, FMLA, ADA, Medicare, Section 125, PPACA, Secure Act 2.0, Social Security, Department of Labor requirements
• Maintain accurate records within Dayforce and other systems
• Ensure confidential information is handled appropriately
• Identify opportunities to improve benefit administration processes and participant experiences

Leadership & Team Support (Senior-Level Expectations)

• Serve as a subject matter expert for benefits administration
• Train and mentor team members on benefit processes and procedures
• Support escalated and complex benefit matters
• Assist with compliance audits and strategic HR initiatives
• Recommend process improvements and operational efficiencies

Tools & Technology

• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft 365
• Microsoft Teams
• Dayforce HRIS
• SharePoint
• PowerPoint

Benefits Specialist Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent experience
• 1-3 years of customer service, benefits, HR, or related experience
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

Senior Benefits Specialist Qualifications

• High school diploma plus significant related experience and/or PHR/SHRM certification
• 5+ years of benefits administration experience
• 5+ years of customer service or related professional experience
• Experience supporting retirement plans, benefits administration, and vendor management
• Ability to lead projects and provide guidance to others
• Technical Skills: Microsoft Excel proficiency including: Formulas, PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, Data analysis and reporting, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint proficiency, HRIS experience, Dayforce experience preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Pension Plans, 401(k) Plans, Annual Enrollment administration
• Experience working with insurance carriers and benefits vendors
• Dayforce HRIS experience
• PHR or SHRM certification

Top Reasons to Join WoodmenLife

• Meaningful Impact on Associates
• Great Exposure and Variety
• Mission-Driven Culture
• Leadership Insight