Lead Long Term Disability Claims Specialist

MetLife; United States; On-site; USD 64,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with employer matching

PTO and holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

MetLife’s Global Customer Service and Operations team seeks a Lead LTD Claims Specialist to independently manage the most complex long-term disability claims in the United States. You will document decisions by integrating medical, occupational, and financial data and partner with physicians, attorneys, and CPAs to ensure defensible outcomes.

You will mentor peers and drive continuous improvement in claim quality.

Qualifications

• 5+ years LTD/IDI claims experience.
• Demonstrated customer service skills through internal and external interactions.
• Ability to apply independent judgment and make well-reasoned decisions.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Proficiency working across multiple systems and technology resources.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management of the most complex long-term disability (LTD) claims by exercising independent judgment to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant claim decisions.
• Create thorough claim documentation and correspondence by analyzing medical, occupational, financial, and policy information to support well-documented determinations.
• Oversee claim evaluations by identifying and reconciling inconsistencies, leveraging Fraud, Waste and Abuse resources, and resolving escalated customer concerns while referring matters to appeals, complaints, or litigation support as needed.
• Manage communication with claimants, customers, providers, attorneys, brokers, and family members by delivering clear, timely updates on claim status, determinations, and complex benefit calculations.
• Develop associate capability and claim quality by supporting onboarding, coaching, mentoring, and participating in projects that drive continuous improvement and enhance customer experience.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners, including physicians, attorneys, vocational consultants, and CPAs, to obtain and evaluate information required for thorough and defensible claim decisions.

Skills

LTD/IDI claims experience

Customer service

Independent judgment

Problem-solving

Multi-system proficiency

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

On MetLife's Global Customer Service and Operations (GCSO) team, customer care is built on trust, empathy, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Whether guiding customers through life's important moments, solving challenges, or simplifying processes with innovative technology, you'll help deliver a differentiated experience grounded in operational excellence. Backed by a collaborative team, you'll play a vital role in strengthening the way we care and advocate for millions worldwide. Here, making a real difference isn't just a goal - it's what we do, one conversation at a time.

The Opportunity

The Lead LTD Claims Specialist is responsible for independently managing the most complex long-term disability claims, ensuring accurate, compliant, and well-documented claim decisions that support claimants, customers, and business partners across the Long-Term Disability function in the United States. Guided by our purpose - always with you building a more confident future - and our New Frontier strategy focused on stronger growth, attractive returns and all-weather performance, this is an exciting opportunity to serve as a technical expert and emerging leader within MetLife's LTD claims organization. In this role, the applicant will influence claim quality and outcomes, mentor and support peers, resolve complex claim issues, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance the customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the management of the most complex long-term disability (LTD) claims by exercising independent judgment to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant claim decisions.
• Create thorough claim documentation and correspondence by analyzing medical, occupational, financial, and policy information to support well-documented determinations.
• Oversee claim evaluations by identifying and reconciling inconsistencies, leveraging Fraud, Waste and Abuse resources, and resolving escalated customer concerns while referring matters to appeals, complaints, or litigation support as needed.
• Manage communication with claimants, customers, providers, attorneys, brokers, and family members by delivering clear, timely updates on claim status, determinations, and complex benefit calculations.
• Develop associate capability and claim quality by supporting onboarding, coaching, mentoring, and participating in projects that drive continuous improvement and enhance customer experience.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners, including physicians, attorneys, vocational consultants, and CPAs, to obtain and evaluate information required for thorough and defensible claim decisions.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of LTD/IDI insurance claims experience.
• Demonstrated customer service skills through internal and external customer interactions.
• Experience applying independent judgment and making well-reasoned decisions based on available facts.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Proficiency working across multiple systems and technology resources in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; and knowledge of STD/FMLA, state leave laws, workers' compensation, ERISA

The expected salary range for this position is $64,000 - $80,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

Benefits We Offer

Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more! For more information regarding MetLife's U.S. benefits, please click here.

About MetLife

Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI-enabled, people-centered future. We're looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long-term value.

Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!

MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").

If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.

MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.

This posting is for a current vacancy and is anticipated to remain open for at least 90 days from the listed posting date.