Senior Benefits Associate (Retirement Focus)

Location Designation Hybrid - 3 days per week Position Summary The Senior Benefits Specialist (Retirement Focus) is responsible for managing complex and escalated employee benefit issues across all benefit programs, ensuring timely, accurate, and thoughtful resolution. The role brings deep expertise in retirement plans including 401(k), pension, and deferred compensation (DCP), while supporting escalations across all benefits. This role ensures timely and accurate resolution of high-impact issues while delivering exceptional employee experience. The position partners closely with leadership, operations, and external vendors to support service delivery excellence and continuous improvement. Additionally, this role will lead executive-facing benefit orientations and contribute to strengthening team knowledge and case handling consistency. What You’ll Do Manage and resolve complex and escalated sensitive benefit escalations, with a focus on retirement-related issues Serve as a decision-maker on case resolution, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and quality Coordinate across HR, payroll, legal, and other stakeholders to support effective handling of sensitive or high-impact cases Retirement Plan Expertise Act as subject matter expert for retirement plans, including 401(k), pension plans, and deferred compensation plans (DCP) Interpret plan provisions and apply them accurately in complex scenarios Support retirement-related appeals in partnership with leadership Executive Support & Orientations Lead Executive Officer (EO) benefit orientations for retirement and health & welfare plans Communicate complex benefit information clearly to senior stakeholders Support executive-level cases in collaboration with senior team members Vendor & Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with third-party administrators and vendors to investigate and resolve escalated issues Hold vendors accountable to accuracy, timeliness, and service quality Ensure timely follow-up and clear communication across stakeholders Identify and elevate systemic issues or risks related to vendor performance Team Support & Knowledge Sharing Provide guidance to team members on complex cases and retirement topics Promote consistency in case handling, documentation, and service standards Process Improvement Identify trends in escalations and recommend process improvements Support initiatives that enhance service delivery and employee experience Collaborate with reporting and analytics partners to identify insights and opportunities What You’ll Bring Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred Minimum 5 years of experience in employee benefits within a large organization Strong expertise in retirement plans, including 401(k), pension, and DCP (required) Working knowledge of Health & Welfare plans Demonstrated experience handling complex escalations and sensitive employee cases Knowledge of applicable regulations, including ERISA and HIPAA Preferred Qualifications Experience working with third-party benefits administrators Professional certifications such as CEBS, PHR, SPHR, or similar Key Skills & Competencies Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills Strong verbal and written communication, including executive-level communication Customer-focused with a commitment to delivering high-quality service Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Sound judgment and decision-making in complex situations Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness Strong collaboration skills across teams and with external partners Work Environment This role operates in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment requiring strong attention to detail, responsiveness, and the ability to manage sensitive and complex benefit issues with professionalism and discretion. Pay Transparency Salary Range: $100,000-$128,000 Overtime eligible: Exempt Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes Sales bonus eligible: No Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual's experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program. Company Overview At New York Life, our 180-year legacy of purpose and integrity fuels our future. As we evolve into a more technology-, data-, and AI-enabled organization, we remain grounded in the values that drive lasting impact. Our diverse business portfolio creates opportunities to make a difference across industries - inviting bold thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and purpose-driven innovation. Here, you'll find the rare balance of long-standing stability and forward momentum, supported by an inclusive team that honors tradition while embracing progress. As a Fortune 100 mutual company, we offer a place to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and deliver solutions that matter. Your ideas drive what's next, and your growth powers it. Our Benefits We provide a full package of benefits for employees - and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work. Click here to discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site. Our Commitment to Inclusion At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities. Click here to learn more about New York Life’s leadership in this space. Recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of Visit our LinkedIn to see how our employees and agents are leading the industry and impacting communities. Visit our Newsroom to learn more about how our company is constantly evolving to meet our clients’ and employees’ needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr New York Life