Retirement and Refund Applications Specialist - Office & Administrative Specialist, Senior

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Employees Retire Assoc is seeking a Retirement & Refund Applications Specialist in St. Paul to process retirement and refund requests with precision and timeliness.

The role emphasizes data integrity, policy interpretation, and clear communication with members and internal teams. Responsibilities include reviewing applications, verifying documents, and guiding colleagues on benefit processes while balancing administrative accuracy and customer service excellence in a hybrid telework

Qualifications

• Data entry and verification of documents with accuracy and quality checks.
• Customer service and support to internal staff and external members.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools to create, edit, and share documents.
• Ability to use spreadsheets to enter, retrieve, and report data.
• Clear communication of policies, procedures, and information.

Responsibilities

• Review and process retirement and refund applications for accuracy.
• Verify supporting documentation and maintain member records.
• Resolve application issues and provide guidance on processes.
• Support internal staff with questions related to retirement benefits.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for coworkers and stakeholders.

Skills

Data entry

Customer service

Microsoft Office

Excel

Communication

Education

Associate's degree in Business or Office Technology

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Outlook

SharePoint

Word

Job description

Working Title: Retirement & Refund Applications Specialist

Job Class: Office and Administrative Specialist, Senior

Agency: Public Employees Retire Assoc

• Job ID : 98109

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 11/03/2026

• Closing Date : 11/09/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Public Employees Retire Assoc / Pub Employ Retire Assoc-AFSCME

• Division/Unit : Document Management Services

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $22.62 - $30.62 / hourly; $47,230 - $63,934 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 206 - Clerical/AFSCME

• Work Area : Document Management Services

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Join PERA and Help Members Navigate Important Retirement Decisions!

Are you detail-oriented, customer-focused, and motivated by work that makes a difference? Join PERA as a Retirement and Refund Applications Specialist, where you'll play a key role in ensuring retirement and refund benefits are processed accurately, timely, and in compliance with state and federal requirements.

In this position, you will review and audit retirement and refund applications, verify supporting documentation, resolve application issues, and maintain critical member records. You'll also serve as a subject matter resource to coworkers, provide guidance on benefit application processes, and support internal staff with questions related to retirement and refund payments. Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly to both internal and external customers.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys balancing detailed administrative work, problem-solving, and customer service while contributing to PERA's mission of serving Minnesota's public employees

This position is telework eligible and offers a hybrid work schedule, based on agency and department needs. Scheduled in-office workdays will be at the PERA office, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, Minnesota.

• Candidates residing in Minnesota within 50 miles of our St Paul office may be eligible to telework up to 50%.
• Candidates residing in Minnesota and more than 50 miles from our office may be eligible to telework more than 50%.
• Candidates residing in a bordering state within 50 miles of our office may be eligible to telework up to 50%.
• Candidates who do not reside in Minnesota or within 50 miles of the office in a state bordering Minnesota are not eligible to be hired, unless planning to relocate within 50 miles of the office or report to the office full time.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below and indicates the beginning and ending day, month, and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

• Skill in data entry sufficient to enter, verify, and maintain accurate data in electronic systems; review source documents for accuracy and completeness; identify and correct discrepancies; maintain records and reports; and ensure the integrity of data through quality review processes.
• External and internal customer service and support skills sufficient to respond to questions, provide guidance and technical assistance, and clearly, concisely, and professionally interpret and explain program policies, procedures, rules, and regulations to internal staff, teams, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of standard computer software programs sufficient to use applications such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, or Word to create, edit, manage, and share information and documents.
• Skill in using spreadsheet applications, such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, sufficient to enter, compile, store, retrieve, and report data to support business operations and decision-making.
• Communication skills sufficient to establish, document, interpret policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and complex information to members, PERA staff, and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Business or Office Technology
• Two (2) years’ experience in an advanced administrative support position in member refunds and retirement benefits applications
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, who do not share your same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Retirement Systems of MN that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past State employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Social Security and Address Verification
• Education Verification
• Driver's License Check

**The Retirement Systems will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.