Junior Pension

The Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefits Program_ (_WCEBP_) is a dynamic and growing administrator of pension, long term disability, and life insurance benefits. Its Member Services unit is responsible for pension and benefit processing activities related to retirements, changes to employment status, relationship breakdowns, and deaths, in accordance with the applicable plan text, established service standards, policies and procedures and legal and regulatory requirements. Staff of the _WCEBP_ work in a highly technical financial environment requiring attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality. We value the more than 20,000 Members that we serve and we are dedicated to maintaining their trust.
- WCEBP_ is looking for highly motivated, analytical individuals with strong organizational, communication and relationship building skills to join our Member Services team. The Junior Pension & Benefits Officer is responsible for plan administration processes including coordinating workflow, reviewing and approving standard pension and benefit calculations, and delivering timely, accurate and consistent information to Plan Members.

You can also expect to work collaboratively across the organization and within the Member Services team, providing direct support to the Pension & Benefits Officer and escalating issues as needed, as well as supervising and providing training and guidance to clerical support staff.

**As the **_Junior Pension & Benefits Officer_** you will**:

- Approve and sign option letters that bind the plans under administration.
- Inform and advise members and their beneficiaries of comprehensive plan and member-specific information upon which the member may make life decisions (e.g., pension options, termination of employment) by referring to plan texts, internal policies and procedures, and legal and regulatory requirements.
- Communicate plan provisions, confidential member data, and benefit entitlements in person, by telephone, or in writing.
- Facilitate quarter-end issuance of Pension Adjustment Reversals (PARS) for terminating pension plan beneficiaries by utilizing reports generated by the Information Systems section, together with transactional data generated by the Refund Clerk.
- Respond to enquiries from plan members regarding Additional Voluntary Contributions, effectively conveying the rules prescribed in the plan text and the tax implications of making Additional Voluntary Contributions. Monitor individual contributions received to ensure they do not exceed limits prescribed in the Income Tax Act, and initiates refunds as necessary.
- Coordinate processes related to pension and group life insurance plan contributions during a leave of absence. Approve calculation of required contributions, communicate with members to convey information upon which the member will make a decision either to continue or discontinue contributions, perform regular reconciliations and approve refund of overpayments.
- Coordinate the preparation of interest calculations, payment vouchers and coding instructions required to process pension payroll, and authorize pension and benefit payments.
- Verify that member files and system databases are updated accurately with respect to member and payment data, and supporting documentation
- Organize, delegate, prioritize and monitor work assignments to ensure delivery of prompt, accurate information and payments to members and beneficiaries.
- Check calculations for accuracy.
- Check Member and beneficiary communications for accuracy.
- Check payment vouchers and payroll coding sheets for accuracy.
- Provide training and ongoing guidance on the preparation of calculations and communications.
- Provide performance feedback to the staff position responsible for delivering Member Service Clerks’ performance reviews.
- Identify and escalate complex plan administration matters and Member issues to a Pension & Benefits Officer.
- Support Pension & Benefit Officers to resolve Member issues through research and analysis of plan texts and legislation, preparation of calculations using prescribed procedures, and drafting of correspondence.
- Support Pension & Benefit Officer(s) to arrange and deliver pension and benefits seminars.
- Assist in developing and executing procedural modifications to improve Member services.

**Your education and qualifications include**:

- Diploma in Business Administration or related business field of study or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Completion or attainment of the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist Program (CEBS) Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation from Dalhousie University within three years.
- Two years of experience in defined benefit pension administration.
- Highly-developed and demonstrated analytical, research, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to effectively and efficiently resolve Member concerns and inquiries.
- Strong communication and relation