Disability Retirement Analyst I

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) the day before the posted End Date.

Please read all information in the Important Notices section.

GROW YOUR CAREER SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE OTHERS!

The Virginia Retirement System is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Disability Retirement Analyst I to support the administration of non-work-related disability retirement benefits. This position independently processes assigned disability retirement cases, including application review, benefit calculations, monthly benefit processing and account adjustments.

The Disability Retirement Analyst I reviews member records and supporting documentation, applies applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia and VRS policies and procedures, and communicates benefit information and processing requirements to members, retirees, employers and other authorized parties. The role also coordinates with the VRS Medical Board, Social Security Administration, third-party vendors, employers, attorneys and internal business units to ensure cases are processed accurately and timely.

The Disability Retirement Analyst I is the entry level position to the Disability Retirement series career ladder.

Essential duties include but are not limited to:

• Independently processes assigned non-work-related disability retirement applications and cases in accordance with the Code of Virginia, VRS policies, procedures and established processing guidelines.
• Calculates disability retirement benefits using applicable formulas, member data and VRS systems and verifies calculations for accuracy before processing benefits.
• Reviews disability retirement applications and supporting documentation to determine completeness and readiness for processing and identifies information requiring clarification or additional documentation.
• Coordinates the submission of complete disability retirement applications and supporting documentation to the VRS Medical Board for review and recommendation and communicates the resulting determination to the applicant in accordance with established procedures.
• Reviews existing disability retiree accounts for periodic reassessments and coordinates required documentation and resubmission to the VRS Medical Board.
• Reviews and processes routine benefit adjustments for disability retirees and verifies the accuracy of changes before implementation.
• Serves as a reviewer and approver of assigned disability retirement applications, benefit calculations and adjustment transactions in accordance with established procedures and delegated authority.
• Provides accurate and timely benefit information and customer service to members, retirees, employers, the Customer Contact Center, third-party vendors and other authorized parties.
• Responds to correspondence and inquiries related to disability retirement benefits, application status, benefit calculations, documentation requirements and account adjustments.
• Reviews Social Security Disability benefit awards and denial information and coordinates with the Social Security Administration, members, member attorneys and applicable third-party vendors to obtain information needed for disability retirement benefit processing.
• Coordinates with third-party vendor representatives responsible for Medical Review Board services and Social Security benefit advocacy services to obtain information necessary to complete assigned cases.
• Reviews and compares the job duties of disability retirees seeking re-employment in accordance with established disability retirement policies and procedures and escalates questions or unusual circumstances for additional review.
• Identifies routine system processing issues, data discrepancies and processing errors; researches available information to determine the nature of the issue and provides appropriate documentation and details to the Lead Disability Retirement Analyst or Disability Retirement Analyst II for further analysis.
• Participates in system testing and validation activities as assigned and communicates testing results, defects and processing concerns to appropriate team members.
• Maintains accurate case records, processing documentation and notes in applicable systems.
• Applies legislative, policy and procedural updates to assigned work and seeks guidance when requirements are unclear or involve complex or unusual circumstances.
• Provides peer assistance and shares knowledge of established processes and procedures with less experienced team members as appropriate.
• Completes special projects and other related assignments as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Three (3) years of relevant experience in benefit administration, financial services, retirement administration, working with large databases and web-based systems, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business Administration, Math, Finance, or a closely related field.
• Experience administering retirement, disability, insurance or other regulated benefits.
• Knowledge of VRS benefits and disability retirement processes.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies, procedures, regulations or statutory requirements.
• Experience working with large databases and web-based systems.

Best qualified candidates will possess:

Knowledge of disability retirement and pension benefit administration, including basic knowledge of Social Security Disability benefits. Ability to learn and apply applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia, VRS policies, procedures and administrative guidelines.

Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to review member records, benefit information and system data; identify discrepancies; research information; and determine appropriate action within established procedures.

Ability to perform benefit calculations accurately using established formulas, systems and reference materials. Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures and statutory requirements to routine disability retirement cases.

Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to explain benefit information and processing requirements clearly and professionally to members, retirees, employers, attorneys, third-party vendors, internal staff and the general public.

Ability to manage an assigned caseload, prioritize competing work, meet established deadlines and maintain accurate records. Ability to work independently with limited supervision on routine and moderately complex assignments and appropriately seek guidance when matters require advanced policy interpretation, complex analysis or supervisory direction.

Ability to identify system and data issues, conduct routine research, document findings and communicate issues effectively to technical and business resources.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and the ability to effectively use web-based systems, databases and other technology used to administer disability retirement benefits.

Hiring Range:

$72,920 - $75,000

ABOUT US

The Virginia Retirement System (VRS0, an independent state agency based in Richmond, delivers retirement and other benefits to covered Virginia public sector employees through sound financial stewardship and superior customer service. VRS ranks as the 15th largest public or private pension fund in the U.S. and the 36th largest in the world, serving more than 861,000 active and inactive members, retirees and beneficiaries. Members include public school teachers, political subdivision employees (cities, towns, special authorities and commissions), state agency employees, public college and university personnel, state police, Virginia law officers and the judiciary. Approximately 864 employers participate in VRS.

Mission Statement

VRS delivers retirement and other benefits to Virginia public employees through sound financial stewardship and superior customer service.

Vision Statement

To be the trusted leader in the delivery of benefits and services to those we serve.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

VRS is unable to provide sponsorship at this time or any time in the future.

VRS' current hybrid schedule includes onsite work Tuesday through Thursday and remote work on Monday and Friday. From time to time, employees may be asked and are expected to work onsite to support business needs.