Retirement Benefit Section Supervisor

Illinois Comptroller; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

State Retirement Systems seeks a Retirement Benefit Section Supervisor to lead the Retirement Benefits section, oversee pension and group health and life insurance processes, and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

The role reports to the Claims Division Manager and oversees benefits like annuities, survivor benefits, and related buyouts, with a focus on accurate calculations and audits.

Qualifications

• Requires a four-year college degree with coursework in accounting, mathematics, or statistics.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly pension and insurance benefit processing, payments, and audits.
• Interpret laws and agency policies for claims decisions and maintain testimonial documentation.
• Lead staff, conduct performance evaluations, and manage staffing needs.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting / mathematics / statistics

Job description

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID:58694
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 09/29/2026
Agency: State Employee Retirement System
Class Title:PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option:Fiscal Management/Accounting/Budget/ Internal Audit/Insurance/Financial
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: $9,000.00 - $11,000.00 Anticipated Monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:None
Merit Comp Code:
Work Hours: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m., Monday - Friday
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: Not available, fully in office
Headquarter Location: 2101 S. Veterans Pkwy, Springfield, Illinois, 62704
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

We invite qualified applicants to apply for the position of Retirement Benefit Section Supervisor at State Retirement Systems (SRS). This position reports to the Claims Division Manager and supervises the Retirement Benefit Section which oversees retirement annuity, survivor benefits, death benefits, termination refunds, QILDROs, and the group health and life insurance associated with these benefits. SRS is conveniently located on the west side of Springfield with free on-site parking.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as full line supervisor. Assigns and reviews work. Provides guidance and training to assigned staff. Counsels staff regarding work performance. Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs. Establishes annual goals and objectives. Approves time off. Handles first level grievances. Effectively recommends and imposes discipline, up to and including discharge. Prepares and signs performance evaluations. Determines and recommends staffing needs. Participates in the interview and selection process.
• Controls and monitors the processing, calculation, payment, adjustments, and auditing of monthly pension benefits, insurance benefits, lump sum death benefits, termination refunds, QILDRO’s and COLA, and total buyouts. Interprets statutes, rules, policies, and procedures for approval and denial of claims. Coordinates and processes benefits for the Illinois reciprocal retirement systems. Supervises the certification process to assure continued eligibility for benefits. Processes terminations for failure to certify. Calculates and analyzes the most complex and sensitive/difficult cases of all claims, including handling all State Employees Retirement System staff claims. Processes annual fiscal year end payable reports. Responsible for the review of felony conviction research. Computes pension and death claim calculations using numerous formulas and calculates adjustments and overpayments.
• Oversees the auditing of member accounts for discrepances of premium deductions and reviewing of third-party vendor’s employer portal. Provides guidance, direction, and policy relating to the State’s multifaceted group health, dental, and life insurance coverage plans. Represents State Employees Retirement System and provides the agency’s position with insurance carriers, third party vendor, CMS, agency group insurance representatives, union representatives, the Social Security Administration and State Employees Retirement System management staff to resolve complex administrative or policy issues with the group insurance plan. Directs staff responsible for updating addresses, monitoring the 75-day return to work portal and related reports. Administers the monthly death match file with Department of Public Health identifying deceased members and requesting removal from benefit payment voucher.
• Represents the agency in meetings with members, survivors, and their representatives. Attends State Employees Retirement System Executive Committee meetings and prepares and presents appeals. Determines, reviews, and establishes internal policy pertaining to State Employee Retirement Systems member benefits. Represents State Employees Retirement System and provides the agency’s position concerning decisions. Attends the annual reciprocal conference.
• Collaborates with I.T. Division regarding re-engineering of systems utilized by the Section to implement improvements in data processing systems. Formulates project requests to accomplish major changes to the I.T. systems. Reviews and controls security access of all staff. Organizes and coordinates annual updates of the procedures manual and all literature to reflect concise benefit information in accordance with law.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of college, with courses in accounting, mathematics, and/or statistics.
• Requires 3 years of progressively responsible administrative experience working with a pension program performing calculations and preparing reports.
• Requires 3 years of progressively responsible administrative experience administering a governmental group insurance policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers 3 years of experience calculating state employees' pension and death benefits using the provisions of the Illinois Pension Code and policies and procedures.
• Prefers 3 years of experience working with the QILDRO statute, Social Security retirement and death benefit structure, and Retirement Systems’ Reciprocal Act.
• Prefers 3 years of experience administering a governmental group insurance policy utilizing a third-party vendor portal.

Employment Conditions

Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

STATE OF ILLINOIS BENEFITS

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

The purpose of State Retirement Systems is to provide an orderly means whereby aged or disabled employees may be retired from active service, without prejudice or hardship, and to enable employees to accumulate reserves for themselves and their dependents for old age, disability, death and termination of employment, thus effecting economy and efficiency in the administration of the State Government.