Benefits Specialist

Benefits Specialist / Senior Benefits Specialist  Human Resources | WoodmenLife  Location: Omaha, NE (Tower Office)  Reports To: Benefits Manager  Why You'll Love This Role  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.  About the Team  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  Role Summary  The Benefits Specialist / Senior Benefits Specialist serves as a key resource for associate benefits administration and retirement support.  This role administers associate benefit programs, manages benefit enrollments and changes, supports retirement processes, oversees billing activities, responds to associate and retiree inquiries, coordinates with vendors, and supports compliance initiatives. Depending on experience and level, the individual may also mentor others, lead projects, support audits, and serve as a subject matter expert on complex benefits issues.  What You'll Do  Benefits Administration & Customer Support  * 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.  Retirement Administration  * 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.  Billing, Auditing & Vendor Management  * 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.  Life Insurance & Survivor Benefits  * Administer Group Term Life benefits.  * Process beneficiary claims and payments.  * Monitor associate and retiree death notifications.  * Coordinate survivor and beneficiary benefit administration.  Communication & Employee Education  * 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.  Compliance & Process Improvement  * 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.  Leadership & Team Support (Senior-Level Expectations)  * Serve as a subject matter expert for benefits administration.  * Train and mentor team members on benefit processes and procedures.  * Support escalated and complex benefit matters.  * Assist with compliance audits and strategic HR initiatives.  * Recommend process improvements and operational efficiencies.  Tools & Technology  You'll regularly utilize:  * Microsoft Outlook  * Microsoft Excel  * Microsoft 365  * Microsoft Teams  * Dayforce HRIS  * SharePoint  * PowerPoint  What You Bring  Benefits Specialist Qualifications  * High school diploma or equivalent experience.  * 1-3 years of customer service, benefits, HR, or related experience.  * Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.  * Strong organizational and communication skills.  * Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.  * Strong attention to detail and accuracy.  Senior Benefits Specialist Qualifications  * High school diploma plus significant related experience and/or PHR/SHRM certification.  * 5+ years of benefits administration experience.  * 5+ years of customer service or related professional experience.  * Experience supporting retirement plans, benefits administration, and vendor management.  * Ability to lead projects and provide guidance to others.  Technical Skills  * Microsoft Excel proficiency including:   * Formulas  * PivotTables  * VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP  * Data analysis and reporting  * Microsoft Word and PowerPoint proficiency  * HRIS experience  * Dayforce experience preferred  Preferred Qualifications  * 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  Top Reasons to Join WoodmenLife  Meaningful Impact on Associates  Help employees and retirees navigate important healthcare, retirement, and financial decisions.  Great Exposure and Variety  Gain broad experience across benefits administration, retirement plans, compliance, associate education, and vendor management.  Mission-Driven Culture  Join an organization focused on serving others while supporting associates and communities.  Leadership Insight  "I would describe my leadership style as supportive, collaborative, and accountable. I believe in empowering my team, providing clear direction, maintaining open communication, and creating an environment where people can grow professionally while delivering strong results."  WoodmenLife offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits package. Learn more at:  https://www.woodmenlife.org/careers/home-office/benefits/ [https://www.woodmenlife.org/careers/home-office/benefits/]  As part of WoodmenLife's employment process, candidates will be required to complete applicable background screening, credit checks (where required), drug screening, and reference checks.  Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (WoodmenLife) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position: Benefits Specialist/Case Manager   The Benefits Specialist/Case Manager offers support to eligible formerly homeless clients living in Permanent Supportive Housing to promote well-being and stability. The Benefits Specialist/Case Manager will be assigned a caseload of clients at one of those sites and will coordinate closely with case management, recreational and operations staff at the building to which they are assigned.   Webster House is a single room occupancy residence (SRO) providing permanent, supportive housing to formerly homeless single adults, many living with mental illness or HIV/AIDS. To learn more about the program, copy and paste this link into a browser https://www.voa-gny.org/permanent-supportive-housing [https://www.voa-gny.org/permanent-supportive-housing]   Location: Bronx, NY 10456   Minimum Qualifications: * Associate’s degree or 60 college credits courses in the Human Services field or High School Diploma or GED with 2 years of experience helping low-income clients access and maintain benefits including Public Assistance, Disability and Veterans benefits. * The position also requires a demonstrated ability in verbal and written communication, including basic computer skills.   Benefits Specialist/Case Manager Principal Responsibilities: * Conduct benefits assessments and provide individualized education, assistance, referrals and advocacy to help clients obtain and retain any and all benefits to which they are entitled, including accompanying clients to appointments as needed. * Work with clients and their medical and behavioral health providers to document disability to support SSI/SSD applications and appeals. * Provide individualized money management and budgeting coaching and as needed connect clients to services to adult guardianship or representative payee services. * Develop and deliver workshops on topics related to benefits, budgets and money management. * Utilize best practice approaches and evidence-based interventions to maximize client outcomes. * Maintain service documentation to include client progress notes, observations and interactions about clients and incident reporting when necessary.  * Participate in internal and external case conferencing activities.   We are committed to offering our employees an exceptional comprehensive benefits package that supports their health, well-being, and personal growth. Full-time employees enjoy:   * Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage * Prescription Coverage * Life Insurance * Retirement Plan * Tuition Reimbursement * Paid Time Off, including a Paid Birthday Holiday And much more!