Remote Actuary: Pension Plans, ESOP & Retirement Expert

Blue Ridge; California; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first work culture

401(k) with company match

HSA with company contribution

Generous PTO

Certification support

Job summary

Blue Ridge Associates seeks an experienced actuary to design, administer, fund, and ensure compliance of Defined Benefit and Cash Balance retirement plans for clients nationwide.

You will provide actuarial expertise to plan sponsors and internal teams, perform valuations, and ensure retirement plans meet IRS regulations and ERISA standards, while clearly communicating complex concepts to clients and colleagues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of actuarial experience supporting qualified retirement plans.
• Advanced knowledge of Defined Benefit and Cash Balance plan design, funding, and administration.
• Credentials such as EA, ASA, FSA, MAAA, MSEA, FSEA are required.

Responsibilities

• Design, administer, fund, and ensure compliance of DB and Cash Balance plans.
• Perform and review actuarial valuations, testing, and funding calculations.
• Provide oversight and review of colleagues' actuarial work for accuracy.
• Interpret plan provisions and regulations to guide clients and teams.
• Communicate complex actuarial concepts clearly to clients and partners.
• Review reports and funding recommendations for completeness.
• Ensure adherence to policies, standards, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Actuarial valuations

Regulatory knowledge

Client service

Communication

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science

Tools

Actuarial software

Excel

Job description

Where Technical Expertise Meets Purpose-Driven Impact

Build your career while helping people build a stronger financial future.

At Blue Ridge Associates, the work we do has a meaningful impact. We help companies provide retirement and employee ownership benefits that give people the opportunity to build wealth, plan for the future, and take greater ownership of their financial lives.

Through Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Administration and Retirement Plan Services (RPS), we combine deep technical expertise with a genuine commitment to our clients and the people they serve. Our team supports companies across the country with complex retirement plan administration, compliance, and consulting services—helping make these important benefits work better for employers and their employees.

What makes Blue Ridge special is our people. We’re a team of professionals who value collaboration, expertise, continuous improvement, and doing work that matters. Whether working remotely or from one of our offices, our employees work together to solve complex problems, support our clients, and make a difference in the financial futures of millions of participants.

About Blue Ridge Associates

Blue Ridge Associates is a leading professional services firm specializing in third-party administration of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and retirement plans, including 401(k), 403(b), cash balance, pension, and other qualified retirement plans.

Our client base spans the country, while our teams are located internationally across seven offices in the United States and two offices abroad, including Charlottesville, VA; Columbia, MD; Columbus, OH; Monrovia, CA; Riverside, CA; Maple Grove, MN; and Baxter, MN, as well as remote locations.

At Blue Ridge, you’ll have the opportunity to build your expertise, collaborate with talented professionals, and be part of a growing organization whose work helps people build financial security and share in the success of the companies they work for.

Join us in doing work that matters.

That’s Where You Come in as an Actuary

The Actuary serves as a subject matter expert responsible for the design, administration, funding, and ongoing compliance of Defined Benefit and Cash Balance retirement plans. This position provides actuarial expertise to plan sponsors and internal teams, performs and reviews actuarial valuations, and ensures retirement plans are administered in accordance with IRS regulations, ERISA requirements, and applicable actuarial standards of practice. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with exceptional analytical, communication, and client service skills.

Your Responsibilities Include:

• Assist with the design, implementation, administration, amendment, and termination of Defined Benefit and Cash Balance retirement plans.
• Perform and review actuarial valuations, compliance testing, and funding calculations while ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain responsibility for a limited client portfolio while providing technical oversight and review of actuarial work completed by other team members.
• Interpret retirement plan provisions and applicable regulations to provide accurate guidance to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate complex actuarial concepts and retirement plan information clearly to clients, advisors, and internal partners.
• Review actuarial reports, funding recommendations, and supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, professional standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Requirements

What We’re Looking for in an Actuary

We’re seeking professionals who bring technical knowledge, strong client service skills, and a commitment to continuous learning. You take pride in the details because you know your work has a lasting impact on people’s financial well-being.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of actuarial experience supporting qualified retirement plans.
• Advanced knowledge of Defined Benefit and Cash Balance retirement plan design, funding, and administration.
• One or more of the following professional credentials is required: Enrolled Actuary (EA), Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA), Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA), Member of the Society of Enrolled Actuaries (MSEA), or Fellow of the Society of Enrolled Actuaries (FSEA)
• Thorough understanding of IRS regulations, ERISA requirements, Pension Protection Act provisions, and applicable actuarial standards of practice.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to perform and review actuarial valuations and funding calculations.
• Excellent research skills with the ability to interpret regulatory guidance and apply complex technical concepts.
• Ability to communicate highly technical information effectively to clients with varying levels of actuarial knowledge.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Why You’ll Love Working Here as an Actuary

You’ll join a company that values hard work, supports each other, and believes in doing work that matters.

We offer:

• Remote-first work culture with in-office options (VA, MD, OH, CA, MN)
• 401(k) with company match + HSA with company contribution
• Generous PTO for parental leave, vacation, and holiday time
• Support for certifications, association dues, and professional development
• A collaborative and inclusive company culture: happy hours, social events, employee-led committees, and volunteer opportunities

Join Us as We Build Wealth for Generations

Everything we do is driven by our vision. We see a future where more people achieve financial independence, enjoy meaningful retirement, and leave a legacy.

We live by our values every day:

• Precision – Accurate records, timely and error-free service
• Efficacy – Ensuring compliance and guiding clients toward retirement readiness
• Advocacy – Supporting regulatory changes that benefit employers and employees
• Collaboration – Trusted partners to clients, advisors, and teammates
• Excellence – Proactive, personalized, high-touch service in all we do

Compensation

Blue Ridge is committed to equal pay and pay transparency. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $100,000–$160,000 annually. Compensation may vary based on geographic location, relevant experience, education and training, key skills, internal equity, and business needs.

This is more than a job. It’s your opportunity to build a meaningful career while helping others build financial security for life.

Apply now and make a career out of making a difference!