05/14/1997 09552

RETIREMENT TECHNICIAN

DEFINITION: This is journey level technical work involving the maintenance of retirement accounts and processing of retirement applications or the communication of comprehensive benefits information to the active and annuitant members of the State Employees' Retirement System, the Public School Employees' Retirement System, and Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System.

An employee in this class may be assigned responsibility for maintaining member accounts and determining benefits or providing members with detailed communication on all aspects of the retirement system. Employees assigned responsibility for benefits determination calculate the appropriate benefit payment or account status of active and inactive members of the Retirement System based on the current Retirement Laws pertaining to employee/employer contributions and retirement options. Employees assigned responsibility for member communications work in either a high-volume member communications center or in one of the retirement system's regional counseling offices. Employees in this capacity are responsible for applying retirement system rules, regulations, policies and laws in order to respond appropriately to inquiries from the members, agencies, reporting units, employee organizations, and legislators. Employees are expected to work independently within general guidelines and with minimal supervision. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a technical supervisor. Work is assigned and reviewed upon completion by the supervisor for accuracy and adherence to established standards, rules, and regulations. These employees may provide technical direction for work performed by Retirement Technician Trainees and may perform lead work functions.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews and responds both orally and in writing to complex inquiries and complaints from members, employers, agencies, reporting units, attorneys, member representatives and employee organizations by researching, interpreting and applying retirement system policies and procedures and the Retirement Codes. Detailed explanations include all aspects of membership provisions, benefits administration and entitlements for annuitants and active members.

Estimates retirement benefits in order to respond to a variety of benefit questions regarding calculation, payment, and tax consequences.

Provides member service support via telephone.

Responds to a variety of tax inquiries such as 1099-R distribution codes, rollovers, withholding exclusion ratio, investment in contract, and general IRS rules and regulations.

Serves as liaison between members, other agencies, reporting units, regional offices and headquarters to resolve problems, gather information and respond to inquiries either verbally or in writing regarding employee benefit payments, account status, or technical information.

May assist in preparing materials for occasional informational workshops throughout Pennsylvania.

Assists members who visit PSERS or SERS to resolve general retirement or benefits related problems to move the process forward. Refers complex or decision making questions to a technical supervisor or regional offices.

Provides information to retiree and employee organizations regarding retirement benefits in order to keep them aware of both current and proposed legislation.

Performs complex calculations to determine appropriate benefit payments, purchase of service, death benefits, account adjustments, or account status.

Explains all aspects of Purchase of Service including eligibility, formulas used in calculation, the billing process, and payment options, prepares and certifies service/salary information and other appropriate documents for various purchase of service categories covered by the Retirement Code. Performs calculations for member billings, creates member billings and issues share billings rates to employees.

Reviews payroll documents, transaction reports, and other documents to determine the impact on member's account or benefit payments and initiates corrective actions.

Verifies accuracy of member-related data, researches and prepares breakdowns of service, responds to inquiries regarding the Annual Statement of Account and initiates all necessary adjustments.

Determines the amount of monies owed the Retirement System and/or monies due the members to include overpayments, underpayments, purchase of service, refunds, adjustments, etc. Verifies delinquent payments and applies the fund received to penalty, interest, or contribution in the correct quarter.

Prepares adjustments to member accounts and/or benefit payment resulting from change in status, court decisions, arbitration awards, administrative hearings, legislative changes, return to service, death, etc.

Audits member's total account to determine accuracy of information including salary and service, purchases, refunds, death benefits, etc. and initiates corrective action.

Performs lead work functions by assigning, reviewing, and verifying work of Retirement Technician Trainee. May also provide minimal on-the-job training.

Maintains activity log of work performed and prepares production reports for the supervisor.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the Retirement Code, State and Federal legislation, and the Rules and Regulations as they relate to benefits eligibility and determination.

Knowledge of basic math and possess the ability to apply mathematical formulas which may include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, ratios, percentages, etc.

Knowledge of retirement system benefits administration principles, practices, and policies.

Knowledge of the functions of various state government agencies and school districts.

Knowledge of benefits administration principles, practices, and policies employed by SERS and PSERS.

Knowledge of basic computer applications used in an office environment such as database, spreadsheets, and related peripheral equipment.

Ability to understand and apply automated technology to retirement processing.

Ability to understand, interpret, and apply the Retirement Code, rules, regulations, legal opinions and procedures in the determination, calculation, explanation and maintenance of member accounts in reference to benefits and tax information.

Ability to audit benefit payments and adjustments to member accounts.

Ability to analyze complex retirement accounts to determine deficiencies and inconsistencies and to initiate or take corrective action.

Ability to apply complex mathematical formulas in the calculation and adjustment of retirement benefits.

Ability to analyze reports, correspondence, and other account information to determine accuracy and compliance with rules, regulations, and Retirement Code.

Ability to communicate, orally and in writing, regarding the interpretation and application of the Retirement Code.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, agency personnel offices, members, and school districts.

Ability to provide verbal and written instructions.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Successful completion of a twelve month formalized training program as a Retirement Technician Trainee;

                                                                                                                                    or

One year of experience in one or more aspects of benefit processing within the State Employees' Retirement System, the Public School Employees' Retirement System, or the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System which includes the calculation of retirement benefits and the application of the retirement code.