Retirement Plan Specialist

Associated Bank; Neenah (WI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement savings

Volunteer time off

Diversity groups

Competitive salaries

Well-being programs

Parental leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Military benefits

Personal banking

Job summary

Associated Bank in Wisconsin is seeking a Retirement Plan Services Associate to support relationship managers and clients in administering qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. You will interpret plan documents, respond to inquiries, and help ensure accuracy and timeliness of processing.

The role emphasizes dependable client service, regulatory awareness, and collaboration with internal teams. Candidates should have an Associate’s degree and less than two years in financial services,

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Less than 2 years in business/financial services preferably in retirement plan services or related environment.

Responsibilities

• Understand day-to-day responsibilities for plan administration including interpreting plan documents to determine terms and duties.
• Work with Senior Specialists and Relationship Managers to ensure plan administration, operations and risk management comply with policy and regulatory guidelines.
• Daily liaison with ERISA Compliance Officer, Trust Operations, Retirement Plan Support Services, Relationship Managers, external clients and plan participants to gather information and provide solutions.
• Confer with external clients and their auditors regarding retirement plan allocations, loan delinquencies, domestic relations orders, 5500s and compliance matters.
• Coordinate client open enrollment period and ensure enrollment data and plan design features are accurate.
• Learn IRS regulations, policies and codes for distributions from Plans; review distribution paperwork for completeness.
• Understand new developments and policies concerning retirement plan services and plan document requirements.
• Support onboarding of new clients or de-converting plans from an administration perspective.
• Identify opportunities to enhance client and internal process efficiencies.

Education

Associate’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

At Associated Bank we strive to create an inclusive culture where different perspectives are valued and recognized as strengths critical to our success. If you thrive in an environment where your growth and development are encouraged and supported, then Associated Bank may be the right place for you.

Associated Bank requires you to directly represent yourself and your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process. Associated Bank conducts a thorough background check on all new hires.

Provide customer service to internal and external clients and their employees. Support one or more relationship managers with the goal of client retention and growing the book of business. This support includes understanding plan documents to determine terms, responsibilities, and duties of Associated Trust Company in order to service the retirement plans. Work with clients, company employees, Senior Specialist, and Relationship Managers to ensure adherence to standards and regulatory requirements. Day-to-day liaison with internal and external clients to gather information, solve problems by providing solutions, handle inquiries and provide superior customer service concerning the administration of assigned accounts. Responsible for managing the client service expectations by being accessible and responsive to the client and keeping them advised of deadlines and updates. Function as the day-to-day liaison for transaction processing.

Job Accountabilities

• Understand the day-to-day responsibilities for plan administration including but not limited to interpreting plan documents to determine terms, responsibilities, and duties of Associated Trust Company in order to service the retirement plans. Assist with the review of financial statements, fee invoices, contribution and loan delinquency reporting, compliance testing, regulatory reporting and other account maintenance for completeness and accuracy of both qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. Perform ongoing Trust account maintenance while adhering to compliance guidelines. This may include complex documentation required for participants and/or annual administrative reviews required under Reg 9 as promulgated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
• Work with Senior Specialists and Relationship Managers to ensure the plan administration, operations and risk management of each client relationship is in compliance with established Associated Banc-Corp policy, procedure and business strategy as well as policies, laws and regulatory guidelines.
• Day-to-day liaison with ERISA Compliance Officer, Trust Operations, Retirement Plan Support Services, Relationship Managers, external clients and plan participants to gather information, solve problems by providing solutions and provide document interpretation, handle inquiries, and provide superior customer service concerning the administration of assigned accounts. Handle participant and plan sponsor inquiries in the absence of the Senior Specialist and Relationship Manager or re-direct questions as appropriate.
• Confer with external clients and their auditors regarding retirement plan allocations, loan delinquencies, Domestic relations orders, 5500s and regulatory compliance matters on a regular basis.
• Coordinate client open enrollment period. Ensure appropriate enrollment data is provided and client enrollment material has accurate plan design features.
• Learn and understand IRS regulations, policies, and codes for distributions from Plans. Review selected incoming distribution documentation paperwork for completeness and accuracy. Handle exception processing, such as complicated distributions, in-kind payouts, loans and hardship withdrawals.
• Understand the new developments, policies and laws concerning retirement plan services, trust planning and administration that affect plan document requirements, including possible required plan document amendments.
• Support limited aspects of the onboarding of new clients or de-converting existing plans from an administration perspective.
• Seek to identify existing operational and participant accounting automation solutions enhancements that will benefit the client and internal parties.

Education
Associate’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Required

Experience
Less than 2 years Business/financial services preferably in a retirement plan services or related environment. Required

In addition to core traditional benefits, we take pride in offering benefits for every stage of life.

• Retirement savings including both 401(k) and Pension plans.
• Paid time off to volunteer in your community.
• Opportunities to connect with others through our diversity-focused Colleague Resource Groups.
• Competitive salaries with professional development and advancement opportunities.
• Bonus benefits including well-being programs and incentives, parental leave, an employee stock purchase plan, military benefits and much more.
• Personal banking, loan, investment and insurance benefits.

Associated Bank serves more than 120 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri and we consider our colleagues critical to our continued success. See why our colleagues continually vote us a best place to work in the Midwest. Join our community on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

Compliance Statement

Associated Bank is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We support a work environment where colleagues are respected and given the opportunity to perform to their fullest potential. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors.

Fully complies with all applicable enterprise policies and procedures. Acts in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in training materials, including but not limited to Bank Secrecy Act. Responsible for reporting suspicious activity to Financial Intelligence. Responsible to report all customer complaints as prescribed and procedure violations to management or HR.

Responsible to report ethical concerns as needed to Associated Bank’s anonymous Ethics Hotline.

Associated Bank provides additional assistance throughout the application, interview and hiring process. (This sentence removed during refinement)

Associated Banc-Corp participates in the E-Verify Program. E-Verify Notice English or Spanish. Know Your Right to Work English or Spanish.

Associated Bank is Pay Transparency compliant.

The pay range represents anticipated base pay for this role. Actual pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, work location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role.

$17.30 – $29.65 per hour