Join an organization that serves the education community! TRS provides retirement benefits for teachers who are employed by all Illinois public common and charter school districts located outside the city of Chicago. The Illinois Pension Code contains the laws relating to our creation, benefits, and administration.

With five levels of potential growth in this position, the Benefit Analyst I role offers career growth and progression. At the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), we offer fantastic benefits, and support professional development in our employees.

Position Overview

The Benefits Analyst I is responsible for processing and calculating one type of claim (retirement, refund, single-sum retirement, disability, or survivor benefit) or calculating five types of optional service adjustments with proficiency. This position is responsible for responding to inquiries regarding benefit claims or optional service adjustments and working with the Benefits Manager to accomplish assigned tasks. In addition, this position provides technical and clerical support to the Benefits Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Organize refund, disability, survivor benefits, and/or retirement applications for claim processing as needed.
• Provide technical and clerical support to the benefits department including but not limited to preparing letters for review and approval, mailing, scanning, and recording receipt of documents.
• Review daily work and determine how work should be distributed throughout the unit including identifying “Rush” requests.
• Calculate one type of claim or five types of optional service adjustments using the appropriate applications for verification by another analyst. 
• Review, analyze, and interpret homebound documentation, W2 forms, Social Security Itemized Statement of Earnings and other pertinent documentation sent to TRS from the member or their employer with assistance from more senior staff members. 
• Audit member records to determine eligibility for benefits or optional service.
• Respond to inquiries and correspondence received from members and internal staff. Modify standard letters or create customized letters, as needed.
• Review and submit Excess Contribution Refunds and 1% Survivor Benefit Refunds. Follow up with members, school districts, retirement systems, and financial institutions as necessary.
• Participate in the Mandatory Distribution (70 ½) research as needed.
• Participate in the Member Accumulated Contribution research project as needed.
• Print reciprocal service histories via the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and State Universities Retirement System (SURS) website and maintain a follow up system with the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) via email or phone contact when required or requested.
• Calculate removals of at least five types of optional service adjustments where no payments have been made as needed.
• Receive, review and process out of state verification forms (OSV’s) regarding past Illinois teaching service.  Send responses to member or employer as required.  Document actions performed via the STAR database.
• Prepare Social Security income verifications as needed.
• Assist in special projects using the agile scrum methodology as needed.
• Participate in training as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• An associate degree in math, statistics, accounting, education, business administration or two years of responsible experience with duties that include business mathematics, fundamental accounting practices, benefits, and customer service.
• Sound analytical and organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and the public both verbally and through written correspondence.

Benefits

• State, health, dental, life, and vision insurance
• 12 vacation, 12 sick, and 3 personal time days of compensated time
• Teachers’ Retirement System Pension
• Deferred compensation plan

TRS is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

If you require a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to us at the following email: careers@trsil.org