Retirement Services Specialist Senior - Benefit Calculations

Minnesota PERA; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) in Minnesota seeks a Retirement Services Senior to perform and review complex retirement, disability, survivor, refund, and service purchase calculations while ensuring compliance with laws and policies. You will analyze member records, resolve intricate benefit issues, and collaborate with partners to provide expert guidance to members and employers.

This role is telework eligible with a hybrid schedule; in-office days occur at the PERA office in

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of professional level experience in retirement planning, communications, program administration, or financial services.
• Experience performing and reviewing detailed calculations, auditing results for accuracy, and resolving calculation discrepancies.
• Experience handling sensitive or confidential information and maintaining data privacy.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams, to analyze information, maintain records, prepare reports, and communicate with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Perform and review complex retirement, disability, survivor, refund, and service purchase calculations.
• Ensure compliance with retirement laws, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze member records, research and resolve complex benefit issues.
• Provide expert guidance to members, employers, and retirement system stakeholders.
• Serve as a subject matter expert ensuring accuracy of benefit estimates and calculations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Privacy/compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Mathematics, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Teams

Job description

• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Education Verification

Working Title: Retirement Services Specialist Senior - Benefit Calculations

Job Class: Retirement Services Specialist Senior

Agency: Public Employees Retirement Association

• Job ID: 97508
• 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: 10/30/2026
• Closing Date: 11/20/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Public Employees Retire Assoc / Pub Employ Retire Assoc-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Benefits
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $29.76 - $43.69 / hourly; $62,138 - $91,224 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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 Minnesota public employees make informed retirement decisions by providing expert benefit calculations and retirement guidance!

As a Retirement Services Specialist Senior, you will perform and review complex retirement, disability, survivor, refund, and service purchase calculations while ensuring compliance with retirement laws, policies, and procedures. You will analyze member records, research and resolve complex benefit issues, collaborate with internal and external partners, and provide expert guidance to members, employers, and retirement system stakeholders.

This role serves as a subject matter expert who helps ensure the accuracy of benefit estimates and calculations, supports quality assurance through peer review, and assists members in understanding their retirement options and benefits. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, independent judgment, and a commitment to exceptional customer service are essential to success in this position.

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.

Two (2) years of professional level experience in retirement planning, communications, program administration, or financial services, including:

• Experience performing and reviewing detailed calculations, auditing results for accuracy, and resolving calculation discrepancies.
• Experience handling sensitive or confidential information and maintaining data privacy in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams, to analyze information, maintain records, prepare reports, and communicate with stakeholders.

Minimum qualifications that will be assessed during the interview process:

• Experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, policies, procedures, or program requirements to make determinations and provide guidance.
• Experience independently managing workloads, prioritizing competing assignments, meeting deadlines, and working effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience using analytical and problem-solving skills to research issues, evaluate information, identify root causes, and determine appropriate solutions.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years in Minnesota Public Pension Plan Administration (PERA, MSRS, TRA, SPTRFA)
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Mathematics, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience with Minnesota Statutes Chapters 353 and 356 relating to PERA benefits and membership eligibility.
• Experience with Social Security, group insurance, and state and federal income tax as they relate to retirement, disability, survivor, or refund benefits.
• Experience working for a public pension fund, governmental agency, financial services organization, or benefits administration program.

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.

Contact

Contact PERA Human Resources at [e-mail] if:

• You have questions about this position
• You are an individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation for a scheduled interview
• You wish to receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, e-mail the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to [e-mail].

Veterans

To be considered for any Veteran's Status, you MUST indicate this on your application.

RECENTLY SEPARATED VETERANS (RSV): Effective July 1, 2009, legislation provides that the top five RSV applicants who apply and meet the qualifications for a vacancy shall be granted an interview. You must:

• Meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting.
• Meet all of the RSV criteria.
• Submit a copy of your DD-214 form by the closing date to: [e-mail]

CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS: Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a noncompetitive basis if you:

• Meet service requirements and have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%.
• Provide qualifying documentation verifying the disability.
• Meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting.
• You must submit all documentation by the closing date to: [e-mail]

About Public Employees Retirement Association

At the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), we help Minnesota’s public servants build a secure retirement. As a tax-qualified retirement system under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, PERA administers several retirement plans that serve nearly 500,000 current and former public employees and provide monthly benefits to more than 139,000 retirees, individuals with disabilities, and survivors.

Our members include firefighters, nurses, social workers, snowplow drivers, police officers, paraprofessionals, and many others who keep Minnesota communities strong. Funded primarily through employee and employer contributions and investment earnings, PERA is proud to provide trusted retirement benefits and exceptional service to the people who dedicate their careers to serving others.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.