Pensions Specialist

Responsibilities

• Administer defined benefit pension schemes in line with manuals and service levels
• Liaise with, and provide support to in-house functions (e.g. Payroll, HR, Reward, Finance, Treasury, Internal Audit) within the business and third party providers including audit, actuarial, accounting, legal, administration, and consulting contacts, as required
• Monitor and reconcile Trustee bank accounts and company pension control account
• Prepare payments from the Trustees bank accounts and Pension Control Account, following verification, approval, and record keeping processes
• Maintain up to date member and financial records in agreed format on payroll and pension systems and files, for clean audit 
• Calculate and pay benefits on death, retirement, leaving service, including Revenue limits and tax, where applicable
• Administer contribution deductions and remittance, including calculation of contributions, processing and testing payroll inputs, monthly reconciliation and reporting of contribution deductions, monitoring contribution limits and compliance monitoring
• Complete annual renewal of pension schemes, including calculations of pensionable salary and service, preparation of annual benefit statements, within agreed timelines
• Prepare member and financial record files and reports for Trustee meetings, annual scheme audits, periodic actuarial valuations, and internal business needs
• Manage pension payroll including new pensioner calculations and set up, monthly pension payroll reconciliations, processing of death claims, and administration of changes to pensioner records
• Liaise with external scheme administrator to calculate and pay benefits on death, retirement, leaving service, including Revenue limits and tax, where applicable
• Administer contribution deductions and remittance, including calculation of contributions, processing and testing payroll inputs, monthly reconciliation and reporting of contribution deductions, monitoring contribution limits and compliance monitoring
• Complete annual renewal of pension schemes, including provision of data to external scheme administrator to prepare annual benefit statements, within agreed timelines
• Administer Company risk benefits, including insurance arrangements for life assurance and income protection. This includes management of claims, payment of premiums, and preparation of annual renewal data.
• Participate in operational and strategic pensions project work, as required
• Keep abreast of pension and applicable tax law, engaging in training where gaps are identified

Requirements

• Relevant undergraduate / postgraduate qualification (Pension / Business / Accounting / Payroll)
• Proven experience within a financial institution, brokerage, or in-house pensions function
• Good technical knowledge in respect of pensions provision in Ireland and the relevant underlying legislation and regulatory environment
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and meet tight deadlines
• Must hold the LIA or IIPM pensions qualifications for scheme administration or be near completion. Further qualifications are desirable
• Knowledge and experience of operations of pensions across other jurisdictions desirable 
• Self-motivated with a strong ability to work on own initiative with a proactive and driven approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to deliver technical issues in a clear and concise manner to a wide audience.

To apply please send CV to ecahill@kenny-whelan.ie