"Alerted.org

Working Title: Benefits Specialist - Survivor

Job Class: Retirement Services Specialist

Agency: Public Employees Retire Assoc

+ **Job ID:** 89121

+ **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:** 09/24/2025

+ **Closing Date:** 10/08/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:** Public Employees Retire Assoc / Pub Employ Retire Assoc-MAPE

+ **Division/Unit:** Benefits Claim Department

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours:** Day Shift

+ **Days of Work:** Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : No

+ **Salary Range:** $23.98 - $34.69 / hourly; $50,070 - $72,433 / annually

+ **Classified Status:** Classified

+ Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) **:** 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.

The Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) administers and promotes sustainable retirement plans and provides services that our members value.

PERA is the largest public pension plan in the State of Minnesota, serving current and former public employees from 2,100 governmental agencies. We pay monthly benefits to over 140,000 retirees, members who are disabled, and survivors of deceased members. Our 200,000 active members work in our parks, cities, counties, and schools across the state. The services they provide and the work they do make our communities better.

PERA offers parking in an attached ramp at no cost to employees.

**About the Opportunity** :

_This_ position exists to provide basic knowledge to Pension Services in the area of survivor benefit applications and benefit payments. This position monitors ongoing eligibility of benefit recipients, and calculates and audits claims for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits in accordance with laws, rules, procedures and regulations. Additionally, this position provides back-up support to the retirement, disability, and survivor application processes.

_The position monitors eligibility for survivor payments, serves as a knowledge resource for routine death and survivor questions, delivers PERA benefit information, and responds to stakeholder inquiries of a routine nature, either by phone, in person or in writing._

+ _This position is_ telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) _eligible and offers a hybrid work schedule which may include telework up to 50% of the scheduled workdays each month, based on agency and department needs and other dependencies. Scheduled in-office work days are at PERA’s office building in St. Paul, Minnesota._

+ _Candidates located outside the state of Minnesota and more than 50 miles from PERA’s St. Paul office are not eligible to telework and would be required to report to the office full-time._

Minimum Qualifications

*Only applicants whose application and resume clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each minimum qualification listed below will be considered for this position. Ensure your resume contains descriptions of your work experience sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below. Also indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

This position requires a minimum of one and one half (1.5) years of _professional level experience in retirement planning, program administration, or financial services._

_*A bachelor's degree or higher in Business, Accounting, Human Resources, or a closely related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience._

_Experience must include the following:_

+ _Analytical and problem solving skills sufficient to evaluate facts, draw conclusions, and create recommendations._

+ _Effective communication skills to provide excellent and comprehensive benefit explanations, customer service, and counseling to a wide variety of stakeholders._

+ _Experience using Microsoft Office software._

+ _Ability to provide explanation of benefits or administer employee benefits._

+ _Ability to work well both independently and within a team._

+ _Performing math computations._

+ _Ability to adapt and cope with ambiguity and changing circumstances._

Preferred Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree or higher in Business Administration, Finance, Communications, Organizational Management, or a closely related field.

+ Experience administering retirement benefits, with the primary focus of delivering customer service, performing calculations, and providing legal explanations or interpreting benefit plans or policies.

+ Experience working at or with Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), or Teachers Retirement Association (TRA).

Physical Requirements

Requires occasional lifting and carrying of articles such as file folders, ledgers, and small office equipment. Although a sedentary job is defined as one that involves sitting, a certain amount of movement is often necessary in carrying out job duties.

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.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.