BENEFITS COUNSELOR

State of Illinois • Springfield, IL

2d • $62,997 - $98,275 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Benefits Counseling Manager/Lisle Office Manager, the Benefits Counselor provides factual information to Teachers’ Retirement System members about benefits and retirement options. The role responds to a large volume of inquiries through teleconferences, individual in-office and field counseling sessions, correspondence, and large- and small-group presentations.

The counselor provides guidance to contributing members, annuitants, and staff regarding eligibility, retirement options, and the consequences of retirement scenarios under the Illinois Pension Code and the Illinois Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act. The position requires travel and evening work, a valid driver’s license, and working knowledge of the applicable pension code, administrative rules, TRS statements and forms, and available insurance programs. The counselor must communicate complex calculations and concepts clearly, handle sensitive or challenging member situations, and provide courteous, accurate, and timely service.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in math, statistics, accounting, education, business, or a related field, or five years of progressive experience in lieu of a degree.
• Three years of progressive responsibility in a related business or education field.
• Working knowledge of the Illinois Pension Code and Administrative Rules.
• Knowledge of statements produced by TRS, Central Management Services, and the Office of the Comptroller, including the ability to explain them.
• Comprehensive knowledge of benefits available through the Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) and the State of Illinois group insurance plan.
• Working knowledge of TRS forms used to process benefits.
• Excellent analytical, computational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to adjust communication style to explain complex calculations and concepts understandably.
• Ability to handle unusual, sensitive, and challenging member situations.
• Ability to provide courteous, accurate, and prompt service and present a professional, positive image.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and complex statistical data.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations.
• Time management and priority-setting skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to travel and work evenings.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience with pensions, benefits, and/or employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an understanding of statutory requirements, rules, and procedures that determine retirement options and benefits.
• Use Excel spreadsheets and computerized procedures to process information requests and calculate benefit estimates, including age retirement annuities, reversionary, reciprocal, and single-sum retirements.
• Analyze and prepare calculations and benefit information for members through teleconferences, individual conferences, and correspondence.
• Conduct individual field conferences, teleconferences, video counseling sessions, and in-office counseling sessions.
• Make oral presentations at member meetings explaining TRS benefits and new legislation.
• Edit standard meeting presentations to meet the needs of different member groups.
• Respond to member emails according to standard procedures.
• Analyze inquiries, recommend solutions, or refer complex cases to the Benefits Counseling Manager according to problem-resolution procedures.
• Respond accurately and promptly to requests for income verification letters, publications, specialized forms, and other documents.
• Assist the Call Center by handling telephone inquiries, requests, and complaints regarding benefits and services, and document calls in STAR.
• Compose correspondence for review by another benefits counselor.
• Participate in internal and external training programs to improve counseling performance.
• Schedule appointments for the Springfield and Lisle offices according to approved procedures.
• Initiate claims such as age retirement annuities, single-sum retirements, death, refund, and disability claims.
• Provide web assistance to members enrolling in TRS Member Account Access and help resolve account problems.
• Assist with training new Counseling and Call Center staff when requested.
• Calculate reciprocal benefit estimates for four reciprocal systems and enter estimates in STAR and Excel.
• Review manual benefit calculations performed by MSRs and other counselors.
• Perform assigned voicemail callbacks.
• Suggest and participate in initiatives to improve Counseling Services effectiveness and member service.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Participation in the TRS retirement pension plan for employees hired after August 17, 2001
• Option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level