Counsel 2 – ERISA/Retirement Recordkeeping and Plan Administration Counsel (Hybrid)

Transamerica Corporation; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Transamerica Corporation is seeking a Legal Counsel to support retirement plan businesses, providing strategic guidance on ERISA, plan documents, and regulatory compliance for recordkeeping and plan administration products.

The role operates in a hybrid office environment with three in-office days (Tue/Wed/Thu), located in Baltimore with potential travel. A JD and bar admission in good standing are required, with 2+ years of ERISA experience.

Qualifications

• JD from an ABA‑accredited law school.
• Bar in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction; 2+ years ERISA/retirement plans experience.
• Able to communicate effectively, exercise sound judgment, and adapt legal advice to business needs; MS Office proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support for retirement plan recordkeeping and plan administration products and services (401(k), 403(b), 457(b), defined benefit, pooled employer plans, MEPs, and related products).
• Assist with preparation, review, and negotiation of contracts and documents (recordkeeping, trust/custodial, TPA/3(16), investment management, and vendor agreements).
• Develop guidance on plan documents, notices, disclosures, and ERISA-related compliance considerations.
• Monitor regulatory developments and brief stakeholders on business impacts.
• Assist in drafting regulatory responses to examinations and inquiries (DOL/IRS/PBGC).
• Advise on sponsor/participant issues and operational matters; collaborate with regulatory, compliance, risk, and product teams.

Skills

ERISA/retirement plans experience

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Family Legal Counsel

About Us

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests. Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there. For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Who We Are

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life. Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them. We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

What We Do

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs. Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide. For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Job Description Summary

We are seeking an attorney for a critical role supporting our retirement plan businesses. In this position, you will be a key contributor within a team of attorneys who provide strategic legal guidance to our business partners supporting our retirement recordkeeping and plan administration businesses.

Why Join Transamerica?

You’ll have an opportunity to work with a leading life insurance, annuity and retirement company in a supportive environment with professional development and growth opportunities.

Job Description Responsibilities

• Provide legal support in the development, maintenance, and offering of retirement plan recordkeeping and plan administration products and services, involving 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), defined benefit plans, nonqualified plans, pooled employer plans (PEPs), other multiple employer plans (MEPs), stable value products, CIT investments, and other products.
• Assist with the preparation, review, and negotiation of contracts and documents, including recordkeeping, trust and custodial agreements, TPA and 3(16) administrative services, investment advisory and management (3(21)/3(38)) agreements, and vendor and TPA agreements.
• Develop expertise to provide guidance on plan documents, notices and communications, including ERISA 408(b)(2) and 404(a)(5) disclosures, ERISA 404(c) considerations, QDROs, beneficiary designations, claims/appeals processes, discrimination testing and corrections and other relevant topics.
• Monitor and review regulatory developments and brief stakeholders on potential business impacts, as directed.
• Assist in drafting regulatory responses to examinations and inquiries (DOL/IRS/PBGC), including document production and remediation plans.
• Commensurate with experience, advise on plan sponsor and participant issues, operational issues, and complaints.
• Collaborate with regulatory support, compliance, risk, operations, product, sales/distribution and other internal stakeholders to develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Contribute to complex legal issues where analysis requires identification and evaluation of multiple factors; deliver practical, business‑oriented solutions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Partner with senior attorneys in keeping senior business management and operations personnel apprised of pertinent legal and regulatory developments affecting retirement products and services.
• Exercise judgment regarding legal advice with guidance from senior attorneys; communicate clearly and effectively with diverse technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Employ innovative thinking to help the business implement creative, cost‑effective, and realistic solutions; foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Qualifications

JD from an ABA‑accredited law school. Member of the Bar in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction. Two or more years of relevant legal experience focused on ERISA/retirement plans at a sophisticated law firm, consulting firm, or in‑house legal department. Able to effectively communicate, both written and oral, exercise sound judgment, and adapt legal advice to business needs while being agile and comfortable in a rapidly changing corporate environment. Proficient using MS Office.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong knowledge of ERISA Title I, DOL regulations and advisory opinions, Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to retirement plans, and ERISA fee disclosure regimes (408(b)(2), 404(a)(5)); familiarity with SECURE 2.0 and related guidance; working knowledge of nonqualified plans is a plus. Experience negotiating retirement services agreements (recordkeeping, trust/custody, advisory 3(21)/3(38), 3(16)), investment management arrangements, collective investment trust participation, and data/privacy provisions. Experience with pooled plan structures, plan administration and/or defined benefit plans is a plus. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the initiative, ownership, and attention to detail needed to manage multiple priorities, work autonomously, and deliver high‑quality results in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

Working Conditions

Hybrid office environment: 3 days in office (Tues/Wed/Thurs)

Locations

Baltimore, Denver, Cedar Rapids, Philadelphia Occasional travel to meet with leaders, other team members, and business partners.

Compensation

The Salary for this position generally ranges between $145,000 - $160,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law. Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.

What We Offer

• Compensation Benefits Competitive Pay Bonus for Eligible Employees Benefits Package Pension Plan 401k Match Employee Stock Purchase Plan Tuition Reimbursement Disability Insurance Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Employee Discounts Career Training & Development Opportunities Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
• Adoption Assistance Employee Assistance Program Back-Up Care Program PTO for Volunteer Hours Employee Matching Gifts Program Employee Resource Groups Inclusion and Diversity Programs Employee Recognition Program Referral Bonus Programs Inclusion & Diversity

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

Giving Back

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.

Transamerica’s Parent Company

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe. It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential unleashed by leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests. Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

Transamerica is a part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group. The Aegon companies employ over 21,500 people and have approximately 31.7 million customers. For more information, visit www.transamerica.com. For more information about Transamerica’s privacy practices, click here.