Retirement Counselor

Retirement Counselor I

Join the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System (APERS) as a Retirement Support Specialist! APERS is seeking motivated individuals with a passion for exceptional customer service to join our Retirement Support Center which functions as our call center. As the first point of contact, you'll assist members with retirement benefits and guide them through the retirement process.

What We're Looking For:

• Strong communication skills to provide clear assistance and direct inquiries appropriately.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and handle high call volumes efficiently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook) and ability to learn new software systems.
• Call Center experience is preferred but not required.

Make a meaningful impact by supporting our members as they plan for their future.

Who We Are:

At APERS, you will be part of a team that serves over 100,000 active members and retirees from across the state of Arkansas. As the state's second-largest retirement system, we manage a trust fund of over $11 billion and we distribute over $600 million dollars in benefits to our retirees and beneficiaries each year.

What We Offer:

• Health insurance and supplemental dental, vision, and other plans
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Annual leave and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays and 8 hours Children's Educational Activity Leave (CEAL) annually
• Defined benefit retirement plan with 5 year-vesting
• Optional 457(b) deferred compensation retirement plan
• Career service recognition program
• Paid parking
• Business casual dress including nice jeans

Job Summary:

The Retirement Counselor I is responsible for providing initial consultative services to active and future retirees. This role involves assisting individuals in understanding their retirement benefit options, eligibility requirements, and the processes to access benefits. The counselor serves as a knowledgeable resource, interpreting retirement policies, explaining benefit computations, and guiding clients through administrative procedures.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conduct one-on-one counseling sessions to explain retirement benefits, eligibility criteria, and the steps involved in processing retirement claims.
• Provide clear explanations of various retirement programs, including service retirement, disability retirement, survivor benefits, and related options.
• Organize and participate in group seminars or workshops aimed at educating employees about retirement planning and benefit updates.
• Distribute informational materials and assist with answering inquiries regarding retirement procedures.
• Assist in gathering and reviewing personnel data, such as length of service and benefit entitlements, to help compute accurate retirement estimates.
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of counseling sessions, client interactions, and related documentation in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Learn and apply applicable federal, state, and program-specific retirement laws and regulations in daily tasks.
• Ensure that client guidance and administrative procedures meet all relevant policies and adherence standards.
• Work closely with senior counselors, human resources, and benefits administrators to resolve queries and enhance the overall retiree services process.
• Participate in ongoing training sessions to update knowledge regarding changing regulations and emerging best practices in retirement benefits administration.

Knowledge and

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for explaining complex retirement information clearly and professionally.
• A customer service orientation with a friendly, empathetic, and professional demeanor when interacting with members and beneficiaries.
• Strong attention to detail for reviewing personnel records, benefit computations, and maintaining accurate documentation.
• Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office) and a willingness to learn specialized retirement management systems.
• Eagerness to quickly learn retirement policies and practices, as well as stay updated on changes in the regulatory environment affecting retirement benefits.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

Special Application Information:

Incomplete applications will not be considered. List current/most recent job first. Account for all time periods including unemployment, self-employment, and military service. A resume may be attached to your required online application form; however, it may not be used as a substitute for completing any part of our application.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.