Benefits Specialist

GEA•Columbia, SC

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Benefits Specialist will focus on supporting GEA’s HR Benefits Team with health and welfare programs, managing leave of absence administration, handling benefits data and reporting, performing billing reconciliation, supporting retirees, administering spending accounts, processing HSA employer funding, and assisting with enrollment changes and benefit support. The Benefits Analyst will play a critical role in ensuring our benefits programs are administered accurately and efficiently while serving as a resource for employee support and questions. Act as a day-to-day point of contact for employees with questions or concerns about benefits, providing guidance and support with a focus on clear and effective communication. Maintain and manage internal ticketing system with employee inquiries. Administer leave of absence (LOA) processes, including FMLA, ADA, and company-specific leave policies. Coordinate with employees, managers, and third-party administrators to ensure compliance with regulations and internal policies. Track, document, and report on all LOA activity to support HR, payroll, and compliance requirements. Collect, analyze, and maintain benefits data, ensuring data integrity and accuracy across all HR systems. Proficiency in v-look up and pivot tables. Prepare and distribute regular and ad hoc reports on benefits enrollment, utilization, and trends. Conduct monthly reconciliation of benefits billing, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and other benefits plans. Resolve discrepancies by working with vendors, payroll, and finance teams to ensure accurate billing and payments. Maintain detailed records of reconciliations and resolve outstanding issues promptly. Assist with administration of spending accounts, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Coordinate with third party vendor ensuring compliance with IRS regulations and company policies. Process employer contributions for HSAs, monitoring for accuracy and timely funding. Provide benefit support for retirees, including assisting with enrollment, changes, and inquiries. Coordinate with third-party administrators to ensure retirees receive accurate and timely benefits information. Maintain records and documentation related to retiree benefits plans. Assist with administration of the company’s 401(k) plan, including employee enrollments, contributions, and distributions. Collaborate with vendors to resolve any participant issues and ensure compliance with 401(k) regulations. Support annual audits, compliance testing, and reporting for the 401(k) plan.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in benefits administration, with specific experience in leave of absence, data reporting, billing reconciliation, retirement plans, spending accounts, and COBRA.
Strong knowledge of HRIS and benefits administration systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with data reporting and analysis.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to provide exceptional service and support to employees, retirees, and internal teams.
Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, IRS regulations governing 401(k) plans, FSAs, and HSAs.
Experience working with third-party benefits administrators.
Knowledge of COBRA, HIPAA, and other health and welfare regulations.
Knowledge of payroll processes related to benefits.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Act as a day-to-day point of contact for employees with questions or concerns about benefits, providing guidance and support with a focus on clear and effective communication.
Maintain and manage internal ticketing system with employee inquiries.
Administer leave of absence (LOA) processes, including FMLA, ADA, and company-specific leave policies.
Coordinate with employees, managers, and third-party administrators to ensure compliance with regulations and internal policies.
Track, document, and report on all LOA activity to support HR, payroll, and compliance requirements.
Collect, analyze, and maintain benefits data, ensuring data integrity and accuracy across all HR systems.
Prepare and distribute regular and ad hoc reports on benefits enrollment, utilization, and trends.
Conduct monthly reconciliation of benefits billing, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and other benefits plans.
Resolve discrepancies by working with vendors, payroll, and finance teams to ensure accurate billing and payments.
Maintain detailed records of reconciliations and resolve outstanding issues promptly.
Assist with administration of spending accounts, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Coordinate with third party vendor ensuring compliance with IRS regulations and company policies.
Process employer contributions for HSAs, monitoring for accuracy and timely funding.
Provide benefit support for retirees, including assisting with enrollment, changes, and inquiries.
Coordinate with third-party administrators to ensure retirees receive accurate and timely benefits information.
Maintain records and documentation related to retiree benefits plans.
Assist with administration of the company’s 401(k) plan, including employee enrollments, contributions, and distributions.
Collaborate with vendors to resolve any participant issues and ensure compliance with 401(k) regulations.
Support annual audits, compliance testing, and reporting for the 401(k) plan.