Benefits - Benefit Spec

WoodmenLife•Omaha, NE

28d•$54,582 - $87,724•Onsite

About The Position

WoodmenLife is seeking a Benefits Specialist or Senior Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team. This 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. Whether you bring foundational benefits experience or advanced expertise in benefits administration, retirement plans, and compliance, this position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while supporting associates across the organization. As part of a highly collaborative Benefits team, you'll have broad exposure to all aspects of benefits administration, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, disability benefits, billing, compliance, associate education, and vendor management. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys a combination of customer service, operational administration, problem-solving, retirement planning support, and associate education. The Benefits Team resides within Human Resources and is responsible for administering and supporting all associate benefit programs across WoodmenLife. As part of a two-person team, you will play an important role in managing the day-to-day benefits needs of WoodmenLife associates and retirees. The team works closely with Payroll, Human Resources, Sales, Member Customer Service, external vendors, and benefit carriers to deliver an exceptional benefits experience. Current team initiatives include: Benefits education and communication, Annual Enrollment, Pension administration, 401(k) administration, Benefits process improvements, Compliance and audit support.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent experience.
1-3 years of customer service, benefits, HR, or related experience (for Benefits Specialist).
High school diploma plus significant related experience and/or PHR/SHRM certification (for Senior Benefits Specialist).
5+ years of benefits administration experience (for Senior Benefits Specialist).
5+ years of customer service or related professional experience (for Senior Benefits Specialist).
Experience supporting retirement plans, benefits administration, and vendor management (for Senior Benefits Specialist).
Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Microsoft Excel proficiency including: Formulas, PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, Data analysis and reporting.
Microsoft Word and PowerPoint proficiency.
HRIS experience.
Dayforce experience preferred.

Nice To Haves

Ability to lead projects and provide guidance to others (for Senior Benefits Specialist).
Experience administering: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Pension Plans, 401(k) Plans.
Annual Enrollment administration experience.
Experience working with insurance carriers and benefits vendors.
Dayforce HRIS experience.
PHR or SHRM certification.

Responsibilities

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.
Coordinate disability benefit administration and return-to-work activities.
Process wellness reimbursements and incentive programs.
Coordinate collection of missed premium payments when necessary.
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.
Coordinate retirement distributions and participant communications.
Support retirement-related audits and reporting activities.
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.
Administer Group Term Life benefits.
Process beneficiary claims and payments.
Monitor associate and retiree death notifications.
Coordinate survivor and beneficiary benefit administration.
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.
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.
Serve as a subject matter expert for benefits administration (Senior-Level Expectations).
Train and mentor team members on benefit processes and procedures (Senior-Level Expectations).
Support escalated and complex benefit matters (Senior-Level Expectations).
Assist with compliance audits and strategic HR initiatives (Senior-Level Expectations).
Recommend process improvements and operational efficiencies (Senior-Level Expectations).