Disability Retirement Analyst

The Virginia Retirement System is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Disability Retirement Analyst I to support the administration of non-work-related disability retirement benefits. This position independently processes assigned disability retirement cases, including application review, benefit calculations, monthly benefit processing and account adjustments. The Disability Retirement Analyst I reviews member records and supporting documentation, applies applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia and VRS policies and procedures, and communicates benefit information and processing requirements to members, retirees, employers and other authorized parties.

The role also coordinates with the VRS Medical Board, Social Security Administration, third-party vendors, employers, attorneys and internal business units to ensure cases are processed accurately and timely. The Disability Retirement Analyst I is the entry level position to the Disability Retirement series career ladder.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

• Independently processes assigned non-work-related disability retirement applications and cases in accordance with the Code of Virginia, VRS policies, procedures and established processing guidelines.
• Calculates disability retirement benefits using applicable formulas, member data and VRS systems and verifies calculations for accuracy before processing benefits.
• Reviews disability retirement applications and supporting documentation to determine completeness and readiness for processing and identifies information requiring clarification or additional documentation.
• Coordinates the submission of complete disability retirement applications and supporting documentation to the VRS Medical Board for review and recommendation and communicates the resulting determination to the applicant in accordance with established procedures.
• Reviews existing disability retiree accounts for periodic reassessments and coordinates required documentation and resubmission to the VRS Medical Board.
• Reviews and processes routine benefit adjustments for disability retirees and verifies the accuracy of changes before implementation.
• Serves as a reviewer and approver of assigned disability retirement applications, benefit calculations and adjustment transactions in accordance with established procedures and delegated authority.
• Provides accurate and timely benefit information and customer service to members, retirees, employers, the Customer Contact Center, third-party vendors and other authorized parties.
• Responds to correspondence and inquiries related to disability retirement benefits, application status, benefit calculations, documentation requirements and account adjustments.
• Reviews Social Security Disability benefit awards and denial information and coordinates with the Social Security Administration, members, member attorneys and applicable third-party vendors to obtain information needed for disability retirement benefit processing.
• Coordinates with third-party vendor representatives responsible for Medical Review Board services and Social Security benefit advocacy services to obtain information necessary to complete assigned cases.
• Reviews and compares the job duties of disability retirees seeking re-employment in accordance with established disability retirement policies and procedures and escalates questions or unusual circumstances for additional review.
• Identifies routine system processing issues, data discrepancies and processing errors; researches available information to determine the nature of the issue and provides appropriate documentation and details to the Lead Disability Retirement Analyst or Disability Retirement Analyst II for further analysis.
• Participates in system testing and validation activities as assigned and communicates testing results, defects and processing concerns to appropriate team members.
• Maintains accurate case records, processing documentation and notes in applicable systems.
• Applies legislative, policy and procedural updates to assigned work and seeks guidance when requirements are unclear or involve complex or unusual circumstances.
• Provides peer assistance and shares knowledge of established processes and procedures with less experienced team members as appropriate.
• Completes special projects and other related assignments as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience in benefit administration, financial services, retirement…