Benefits - Benefit Spec

Benefits Specialist / Senior Benefits Specialist Human Resources | WoodmenLife Location: Omaha, NE (Tower Office) Reports To: Benefits Manager Why You'll Love This Role WoodmenLife is seeking a Benefits Specialist or Senior Benefits Specialist to join our Human Resources team. This role is ideal for a benefits professional who enjoys helping people, solving complex benefit questions, and serving as a trusted resource for associates throughout their employment and retirement journey. Whether you bring foundational benefits experience or advanced expertise in benefits administration, retirement plans, and compliance, this position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while supporting associates across the organization. As part of a highly collaborative Benefits team, you'll have broad exposure to all aspects of benefits administration, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, disability benefits, billing, compliance, associate education, and vendor management. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys a combination of customer service, operational administration, problem-solving, retirement planning support, and associate education. About the Team The Benefits Team resides within Human Resources and is responsible for administering and supporting all associate benefit programs across WoodmenLife. As part of a two-person team, you will play an important role in managing the day-to-day benefits needs of WoodmenLife associates and retirees. The team works closely with Payroll, Human Resources, Sales, Member Customer Service, external vendors, and benefit carriers to deliver an exceptional benefits experience. Current team initiatives include: Benefits education and communication Annual Enrollment Pension administration 401(k) administration Benefits process improvements Compliance and audit support Role Summary The Benefits Specialist / Senior Benefits Specialist serves as a key resource for associate benefits administration and retirement support. This role administers associate benefit programs, manages benefit enrollments and changes, supports retirement processes, oversees billing activities, responds to associate and retiree inquiries, coordinates with vendors, and supports compliance initiatives. Depending on experience and level, the individual may also mentor others, lead projects, support audits, and serve as a subject matter expert on complex benefits issues. What You'll Do Benefits Administration & Customer Support Serve as a primary point of contact for associates, retirees, and sales representatives regarding benefit programs. Respond to benefit-related phone calls, emails, and inquiries. Research and resolve routine complex benefit issues and discrepancies. Educate associates on available health, welfare, disability, life insurance, wellness, pension, and 401(k) benefits. Process benefit enrollments, qualifying life events, and coverage changes. Administer COBRA benefits for terminated associates and sales representatives. Coordinate disability benefit administration and return-to-work activities. Process wellness reimbursements and incentive programs. Coordinate collection of missed premium payments when necessary. Retirement Administration Support administration of pension and 401(k) plans. Ensure retirement processes are completed accurately and timely. Prepare pension estimates, valuations, and calculations using vendor tools. Coordinate retirement distributions and participant communications. Support retirement-related audits and reporting activities. Billing, Auditing & Vendor Management Manage monthly benefits billing activities. Audit enrollment, payroll, vendor, and billing data to ensure accuracy. Research and resolve enrollment discrepancies and vendor issues. Process vendor payments accurately and on schedule. Maintain strong relationships with insurance carriers, benefit vendors, brokers, and consultants. Compile and analyze benefit data to support reporting and decision-m…