Pension Associate I

Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS); Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 Paid Holidays

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance (fully paid)

Vision Care

Employer Paid Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Parental leave

Generous Vacation and Sick Leave

Job summary

Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) is seeking a Pension Associate I to help members navigate retirement benefits and the retirement process. This entry-level role offers training, progression, and the chance to build specialized knowledge for Maine's public employees.

You will calculate refunds and estimates, review accounts for accuracy, and adapt to changes in laws and procedures while supporting the team with day-to-day retirement services.

Qualifications

• HS diploma with 4 years of related work experience including customer service and research.
• Or a post-secondary degree with 2 years of related work experience.
• Beginner proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Help members understand their retirement benefits and process.
• Calculate refunds, estimates, service purchases, and preliminary benefits.
• Review participant accounts for accuracy and completeness.
• Determine membership and retirement eligibility.
• Calculate member contributions, interest, and creditable service.
• Support colleagues with benefit calculations and related tasks.
• Provide coverage for clerk-level responsibilities as needed.
• Adapt to changes in processes, technology, and legislation.
• Develop knowledge through training and feedback.
• Use system software and tools to complete work accurately and on time.

Skills

Customer service

Numbers

Research and analysis

Microsoft Office (beginner)

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Post-secondary degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Help Maine's public employees understand and prepare for retirement.

MainePERS is seeking a Pension Associate I to help members navigate their retirement benefits and the retirement process. As the entry-level position in the Pension Associate series, this role offers the opportunity to build specialized knowledge, develop technical skills, and make a meaningful difference in the financial futures of Maine's public employees.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys helping people, working with numbers, researching information, and solving problems. You'll learn to apply retirement laws, rules, policies, and procedures while helping members understand their benefits and providing accurate calculations for refunds, estimates, service credit purchases, and preliminary retirement benefits.

You’ll receive training and support as you develop proficiency. Your work will initially be reviewed by a trainer, with increasing responsibility and independence as you build your knowledge and expertise.

What You’ll Do

• Help members understand their retirement benefits and the retirement process, answering questions through a variety of communication methods, including in-person and remote member meetings.
• Research and apply laws, rules, policies, practices, and user guides to calculate refunds, benefit estimates, service credit purchases, and preliminary retirement benefits.
• Review participant accounts for accuracy and completeness, identify errors, and make appropriate corrections.
• Determine membership and retirement eligibility based on applicable requirements.
• Calculate member contributions, interest, and creditable service.
• Support colleagues by providing information and assistance related to benefit calculations, refunds, estimates, service credit purchases, preliminary benefits, and other retirement services work.
• Provide coverage for clerk-level responsibilities as needed to support the team.
• Adapt to changes in business processes, technology, and legislation and apply new information to daily work.
• Develop your knowledge and skills through training, feedback, and hands-on experience.
• Use system software and related tools to complete work accurately, efficiently, and within established timeframes.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Enjoys helping people and solving problems.
• Is comfortable working with numbers and takes pride in accurate calculations and attention to detail.
• Can research information, follow established procedures, and apply policies and rules accurately.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with members, retirees, employers, and colleagues.
• Can explain information in a way that is clear and easy to understand.
• Is curious and willing to learn complex information and develop specialized expertise.
• Can manage multiple priorities and follow through on commitments.
• Is comfortable receiving feedback and working with others to develop new skills.
• Can work independently as proficiency develops while knowing when to ask questions or seek guidance.
• Is comfortable learning and using computer systems and administrative tools.
• Adapts well to changes in processes, technology, and legislation.

Why This Work Matters

Retirement can be one of the most important financial transitions in a person's life. The information and guidance members receive can make a real difference in their ability to understand their options and plan for what’s ahead.

As a Pension Associate I, you’ll help make that process easier by providing accurate information, thoughtful service, and reliable benefit calculations. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop a specialized career in public-sector retirement administration while making a meaningful contribution to the people MainePERS serves.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent plus four (4) years of responsible, self-directed work experience demonstrating excellent customer service, research and analysis, computational skills, and the ability to work under limited supervision; or
• Post-secondary degree and two (2) years of related work experience.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite at the beginner level.

Salary: Begins at $43,659 if annualized

Benefits: We offer an outstanding benefit package including: 13 Paid Holidays, Health Insurance, Dental Insurance (fully paid), Vision Care, Employer Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Employer contribution to Pension, Deferred Compensation Plan, substantial Tuition Reimbursement, Parental leave, Generous Vacation and Sick Leave.