TRS Representative - Deferred Compensation

Illinois Comptroller; Springfield, Northern (IL, KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) is seeking a Member Services Representative to handle inquiries about the SSP deferred compensation plan from TRS employers and members. The role requires strong customer service, accuracy, and the ability to work with complex rules and procedures.

Under supervision, you will respond to telephone and email inquiries, provide guidance on enrollment, reporting, and deferral processing, and coordinate with employers and third-party

Job description

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TRS Representative - Deferred Compensation

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:58220
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 08/28/2026
Agency:Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois
Class Title:MEMBER SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE - 82576
Category:Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Merit Comp Code:Agency Excluded from Collective Bargaining Coverage

The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) is one of the largest public pension systems in the United States. We provide retirement, disability and survivor benefits to teachers, administrators and other public-school personnel employed outside the city of Chicago.

TRS serves over 456,000 members and manages a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio for the exclusive benefit of the membership.

TRS is governed by a Board of Trustees. Full-and part-time employees are eligible for the State of Illinois comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental and vision coverage. All employees hired after August 17, 2001 participate in the TRS retirement pension plan. Employees also have the option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans. The TRS pension plan is a participating reciprocal system under the Illinois Pension Code Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act.

Under the supervision of the Deferred Compensation Operations Supervisor, the TRS Representative is accountable for receiving inquiries by telephone and email from TRS employers, members and others regarding the TRS Supplemental Savings Plan (SSP) deferred compensation plan. The incumbent is expected to accurately respond to a large volume of inquiries while maintaining quality service. In addition, the incumbent is required to maintain basic knowledge of the Illinois Pension Code, the SSP Plan Document and Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b).

This position will respond to telephone and email inquiries regarding technical questions concerning SSP eligibility, enrollment and SSP deferral processing and reporting. This position is responsible for providing accurate information to TRS employers, members, and staff regarding the SSP and related policies and procedures.

Job Summary (Continued)

The incumbent is required to provide courteous, accurate, and prompt service, and present a professional and positive image of the System and the SSP when interacting with employers, members, coworkers and external contacts. This position requires extensive collaboration, sound decision making skills and the ability to properly structure activities in a manner that allows for the timely completion of assignments, tasks, and goals.

With almost 1,000 covered employers and over 140,000 eligible members, the TRS Representative will play a pivotal role in the front-office operations of the TRS SSP 457(b) Plan. The incumbent must possess organizational skills, sound analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively with employers, members, coworkers, and third-party administrators both verbally and through written correspondence.

Essential Functions

• Correctly log into the Call Center phone system and be available to receive telephone inquiries regarding the SSP at the start of the assigned work shift. Correctly log out of the Call Center phone system during breaks, meetings, lunch breaks and at the end of the assigned work shift.
• Ensure participant and employer issues are resolved timely . Respond, analyze, or recommend solutions to inquiries in accordance with statutory requirements, rules and procedures. Document the calls, emails and actions as directed.
• Initiate requests for additional assistance for complex issues requiring expertise for resolution, according to the established procedures in an accurate and timely manner.
• Direct inquiries to the employer or third-party administrator, when appropriate.
• Provide basic training of TRS and SSP policies to employers via verbal as well as written communications.

Essential Functions (Continued)

• Assist employers with plan questions and resolving reporting issues, including but not limited to meeting one on one with employers to step them through the SSP employer reporting process in Gemini or performing outreach to employers regarding reporting delinquent deferrals and assisting these employers with reporting in Gemini.
• Perform voice mail call backs and email responses, as assigned.
• Suggest and participate in implementing initiatives to improve customer service and Call Center effectiveness.
• Maintain an understanding of statutory requirements, Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b) rules, the TRS SSP Plan Document, and SSP policies and procedures.
• Assist Deferred Compensation staff with tracking and administrative duties, as needed.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Friendly and service oriented
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Ability to analyze and interpret data
• Associate degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, or a related field;orthree (3) years of related experience in public or multi-employer pension administration, private pension plans, benefits administration, payroll, customer service, or a related field in lieu of a degree.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in a payroll, benefits administration, pension administration, or customer service role is preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills are required
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office is required
• Knowledge of public pension and/or defined contribution/deferred compensation plans is preferred

Work Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Headquarter Location:2815 W. Washington St., Springfield, IL 62702-3397
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Christina Lonbom
Email: [e-mail]
Phone #: [phone]
Posting Group: Office & Administrative Support

TRS is a non-code state agency.

TRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or completing any pre-employment testing, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at [phone], or [e-mail]. Hiring decisions are not based on or affected by political factors, including political sponsorship, affiliation, or support.