Benefits Specialist

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Benefits Specialist
The candidate will support the Manager, Retirement Plans in all aspects of administration and compliance of the Firm’s defined contribution and defined benefit plans as well as other administration as needed with health & welfare benefits and wellness programs. Duties : Will be responsible for the daily administration of the Firm’s defined contribution Savings and Investment Plan (“SIP”), including data collection, timely submission of participant and Firm contributions to participant accounts, and assisting in participant transactions and distributions; Prepare Firm’s Retirement Income Plan (“RIP”) pension estimates, calculate final benefits, establish pension payroll and handle all aspects of staff and partner retiree pension administration; Prepare annual census for partners and employees defined benefit pension plans for submission to plan(s) actuaries; collaborate with them to produce annual valuations; Prepare annual staff Firm contribution payroll file for the SIP and the partner SIP and LEO payroll files for the Partner Compensation Group; Assist in the coordination and distribution of annual reports and annual notices including annual partner SIP election notices and LEO required contribution notices; Calculate final benefits and initiate annuity payments from the RIP and the LEO; Coordinate and comply with all data requests for three annual ERISA audits in conjunction with outside plan auditors and actuaries including preparation of all data schedules, samples, reports and plan financials in a timely and compliant manner. Support the health & welfare team by overseeing the administration of health and welfare benefits, handle client inquiries on benefits and claims issues, work with vendors to resolve issues; Oversee onboarding and off boarding processes, including benefits orientations and questions around the transition of benefits upon departure; Determine eligibility for retiree benefits and process retiree plan enrollments through the HRIS system and the benefits portal. Support the retiree through the process. Handle the open enrollment process for the retiree health plan, annual valuation process, and other compliance activities; Prepare the Form 5500 filings for the health & welfare plan and distribute the Summary Annual Report distribution. Respond to questions/issues from Partners on retirement and health & welfare benefits; Support Firm’s Investment Committee by monitoring and coordinating all activity related to the plan trusts and the plan’s trustee; Work with vendors to resolve issues quickly and accurately.Ensure timely preparation, filing and submission of annual Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) premiums; In compliance with the terms of the relevant plan documents, prepare defined benefit calculations for review by Plan(s) actuaries, as necessary. Prepare Firm’s Retirement Income Plan (“RIP”) pension estimates, calculate final benefits, establish pension payroll and handle all aspects of retiree pension administration; Prepare partners frozen unfunded pension plan calculations in coordination with plan(s) actuaries and partner payroll group; Actively participate in and monitor all non-discrimination testing schedules; Prepare annual census for partners and employees defined benefit pension plans for submission to plan(s) actuaries; collaborate with them to produce annual valuations; Responsible for the daily administration of the Firm’s defined contribution Savings and Investment Plan (“SIP”), including but not limited to all data collection requirements, submission of contributions to the plan trust and ensure accurate and timely: 1) participant contributions and Firm allocations to participant accounts, 2) participant transactions and, 3) distributions from participant accounts. Work closely with White & Case Payroll(s) and plan trustee and record keeper to maintain an automated and streamlined process; Maintain strong relationships with outside vendors and consultant; Prepare and distribute literature, memorandums, and information regarding enrollment eligibility, retirement vesting, accrued benefits, etc., regarding the SIP and pension plans for employees and partners; Prepare, initiate, coordinate, collate and monitor all inflow and outflow of information and data to outside record keepers, actuaries, trustee, investment managers, and determine accuracy of reports before any distribution to employees and partners; Coordinate and comply with all data requests for three (3) annual ERISA audits in conjunction with outside plan auditors and actuaries including, but not limited to, preparation of all data schedules, samples, reports and plan financials, to conclusion of publication of financial statements and filings of all associated Forms 5500 in a timely and compliant manner; In accordance with the terms of each plan, administer day to day operations of the SIP and defined benefit pension plans, and address issues and queries from participants as they arise; Maintain accurate documentation files, and update and monitor all in-house electronic databases, as may be necessary; Prepare pre-retirement discussion summaries and final retirement or termination packages for staff, including all associated benefit forms; Assist in the preparation and/or distribution of various benefits-related communications; Research, initiate, and implement updated systems, programs, procedures and internal controls on an on-going basis; recommend improvements, revisions and amendments to management; Provide back-up support to other members of the Benefits team on health & welfare and wellness initiatives and projects for US and international benefits as needed Become knowledgeable about all of the US benefits and wellness programs, level of benefits for different segments of the population, and be able to response or resolve questions on any aspect of US benefits; May be asked to assist with international benefits as needed and work on other projects as they may arise within the scope of White & Case benefit globally.

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