Retirement Benefits Counsellor

Sygnia Asset Management; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading asset management company in Johannesburg seeks a candidate to provide well-considered retirement benefits counselling and advice to members. Responsibilities include managing member queries, building relationships with stakeholders, and continuous educational development in the field of employee benefits. Candidates should have a post-graduate qualification in related fields, minimum 3-5 years of consulting experience, and strong knowledge of retirement funds legislation. This role offers an opportunity to impact clients positively through effective benefits management.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years employee benefits consulting experience.
• Strong knowledge of Pension Funds, FAIS and related legislation.
• Detailed knowledge of group risk benefit arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Provide well-considered retirement benefits counselling and advice to members.
• Handle member queries with circumspection and confidentiality.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of legislation governing retirement funds

Good understanding and interpretation of Pension funds, FAIS and related legislation

Strong knowledge of employee benefit industry

Compliance and governance of pension fund structures

Microsoft Office

Education

Post graduate qualification related to employee benefits or law

CFP (advantageous)

Membership of a professional body (e.g. FPI)

FAIS qualifications

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provide well-considered retirement benefits counselling and advice to members of SURF.
• Provide members and clients with information and advice on investments, legislation and pending legislative changes which could impact the participating employer’s benefit structure.
• Handle member queries with circumspection and confidentiality.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ongoing interaction with employee benefits consultants, SURF’s participating employers and other service providers, as required.
• Provide investment, retirement benefits and member portal presentations to members.
• Liaison to assist and escalate administration and member portal queries.
• Continuous educational development in field of expertise.
• Detailed knowledge of group risk benefit arrangements.
• Attend management committee meetings when needed.
• Be able to develop, maintain and enhance relationships not only with clients/consultants but the wider employee benefits team.

TCF

• Adhere to high service standards to conform with TCF principles.
• Keep abreast of latest TCF information and guidelines.

Role Qualifications & Experience

• A post graduate qualification related to employee benefits or law.
• CFP would be advantageous.
• Membership of a professional body (e.g. FPI).
• Excellent knowledge of legislation governing retirement funds.
• FAIS qualifications.
• 3-5 years employee benefits consulting experience.
• Good understanding and interpretation of Pension funds, FAIS and related legislation

Technical Experience

• Strong knowledge of employee benefit industry
• Strong knowledge of Pension Funds, FAIS and related legislation
• Compliance and governance of pension fund structures
• Pension Fund Act and Regulations associated circulars issued by registrar
• Working knowledge of Retirement Fund Law, Income Tax Act, Labour Relations Act, Divorce Act and Long-Term Insurance Act
• Knowledge of Financial Sector Regulations Act
• Knowledge of retail products (retirement annuity funds, living annuities, life annuities and unit trusts) as many complaints relate to these.
• Microsoft Office

Regulatory and Disclosure

• Has contravened any of the requirements and standards of a regulatory body, professional body, government or its agencies,
• Has been dismissed from a position of trust, fiduciary appointment or similar position; has been disqualified under the South African Companies Act and any other financial services legislation or regulation, or,
• Has been convicted of offences relating to dishonesty, fraud or financial crimes