JOB TITLE: PSERS RETIREMENT REPRESENTATIVE

JOB CODE: 21901

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) Retirement Representative job series describes work in explaining, counseling, and facilitating the employee benefits program of PSERS with members and schools districts throughout the Commonwealth.

DEFINITION: This is professional work involving various aspects of the employee benefits program of PSERS.

An employee in this job is responsible for a variety of functions in support of the employee benefits program. Work involves calculating estimates for a variety of retirement benefits and options; conducting individual or small group benefits counseling sessions with members prior to retirement; conducting pre-retirement planning workshops; providing technical assistance to school district personnel; and responding to a variety of requests and inquiries regarding member accounts. Significant components of the work involve meeting with individual members and small groups prior to retirement to provide a thorough and comprehensive explanation of estimated retirement benefits, retirement options, and tax information; reviewing a member's account, verifying retirement eligibility, and resolving problems with the account prior to the member's retirement; and responding to a high volume of inquiries and requests from members and annuitants regarding all aspects of their retirement accounts and benefits. Work also involves providing on-going technical support to school district personnel regarding retirement system policy and procedures, reporting requirements, implementation of legislative changes, membership eligibility, and other benefits issues. Travel within an assigned geographical area is required. Work is performed independently within established policies and procedures. Considerable latitude is given for planning and carrying out assignments, interpreting policies, and resolving conflicts. New or complex problems may be referred to a supervisor for resolution. Work is reviewed upon completion for technical accuracy and adherence to established guidelines and standards.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Calculates a variety of retirement benefit estimates for active members; estimates include early, normal, dual coverage, disability, divorce, special options, and frozen annuities.

• Conducts benefits counseling with active members prior to retirements to explain estimated retirement benefits, retirement options, death and survivor benefits, beneficiary requirements, taxability of pension, and other benefits issues and assists members in completing retirement applications and other retirement documents.

• Researches and reviews members' retirement accounts to ensure eligibility for appropriate category of retirement and to ensure accuracy of such areas of service and salary credits, multiple service, purchase of service, and debts.

• Schedules and coordinates all individual counseling, group counseling, pre-retirement planning sessions, and employer training sessions; determines training and counseling locations and dates; and prepares related notifications for employers and members.

• Provides technical assistance to school district personnel regarding retirement system procedures, reporting requirements, and enrollment eligibility.

• Conducts group benefits counseling sessions, pre-retirement planning workshops, and school district in-service training sessions.

• Responds to a high volume of inquiries from members and annuitants regarding a variety of retirement questions or problems with their accounts or benefits and researches and resolves problems related to taxes, refunds, purchase of service, salary and service credits, account adjustments, lump sum payments, and other areas of members' accounts.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the retirement system laws or legislation.

• Knowledge of effective customer service techniques.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.

• Ability to use arithmetic, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and mathematical formulas, such as calculating ratios and percentages.

• Ability to analyze and interpret rules, regulations, policies, procedures, legislation, and directives.

• Ability to read and interpret written information and numerical data.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Successful completion of the twelve-month training program as a PSERS Retirement Representative Trainee;

or

• Five years of experience assisting with human resources administration, financial management, or public relations work in a pension or retirement system or a related occupational area;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.