STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Retirement And Benefits Officer

Recruitment #260422-4732AR-001

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Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) is seeking an analytical and detail-oriented Retirement and Benefits Officer to support the Statewide Payroll And Time Management Division. This position provides expert analysis and guidance on public employee retirement and benefits, ensuring accurate, compliant, and high-impact support for employees at critical career milestones.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Opportunities to invest in your professional growth and development with training programs, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for advancement within the State of Connecticut.
  • Connecticut is a strong community with a lot to offer in entertainment, food and shopping, recreation in our beautiful state parks and forests, diverse culture, and rich history. Learn more about all Connecticut has to offer.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full-Time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday through Friday
  • Location: 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
  • Hybrid (office/telework) may be available
THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF
  • You can independently analyze complex retirement and benefit cases, applying statutes, regulations, and plan provisions to make accurate, well-supported determinations. 
  • You have strong analytical skills and enjoy working with data to reconcile records, identify discrepancies, and use systems or queries to validate and inform decisions. 
  • You are confident explaining complex or sensitive retirement and benefit information clearly and professionally to employees, retirees, and HR partners. 
  • You take ownership of your work, exercise sound judgement in a compliance-driven environment, and are motivated to improve processes and ensure the integrity of benefit programs. 
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Provide expert guidance to retirement plan members via phone, email, and in person, advising on pensions, disability, retiree health benefits, and account settlement options;
  • Independently review, audit, and reconcile member enrollments, contributions, eligibility determinations, and benefit payments to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and policies;
  • Analyze complex member records and transactions to determine retirement eligibility and ensure proper plan placement;
  • Interpret and apply Connecticut General Statutes, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and other governing authorities to real-world retirement and benefits scenarios;
  • Develop and utilize queries (e.g., SQL) and reports across multiple systems to support data analysis, resolve discrepancies, and inform decision-making;
  • Serve as a liaison to agency HR partners and external stakeholders, providing technical guidance and participating in meetings related to complex or sensitive cases;
  • Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and system efficiencies within retirement and benefits administration;
  • Perform related duties as assigned.
ABOUT US
The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) is an agency whose mission is to provide accounting and financial services, administer employee and retiree benefits, develop accounting policy and exercise accounting oversight, and prepare financial reports for the state, federal and municipal governments, and the public. 

We are located in the State Office Building at 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT. This state-of-the-art building offers free garage parking, an on-site cafeteria, and ergonomic workspaces.

The Statewide Payroll and Time Management division coordinates the payroll function for all state employees, including maintaining records, depositing income tax withholdings and social security contributions, pre-audits and issues paychecks, administers direct deposit programs, and interfaces with central agencies on mass salary changes, collective bargaining, complex accounting transactions, and other information requests. 

Selection Plan

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY
  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the Office of the State Comptroller for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. 
AFTER YOU APPLY
  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Office of the State Comptroller are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks, subject to the provisions of Section 31-51i and conducted in accordance with Section 29-17a of the Connecticut General Statutes. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, but your application may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics. 
CONNECT WITH US
  • Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. 
  • If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact the agency’s human resources team at osc.hr@ct.gov.
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn to stay updated on our career opportunities and news.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the State Comptroller, Retirement Services Division and Healthcare Policy and Benefit Services Division and in the Teachers' Retirement Board Benefits Division, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in public employee retirement and benefit administration.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs a variety of financial and administrative functions in field of retirement and benefits management;
  • Works on special projects as required;
  • Conducts or participates in examination of employee records;
  • Researches and analyzes employees retirement records and prepares individualized estimates of entitlement in accordance with retirement laws, collective bargaining and/or court actions relative to State Employees Retirement Systems;
  • Utilizes various databases for reports and analysis;
  • Examines and reconciles employment records with supporting data such as payroll records, calendars, etc.;
  • Responds to inquiries from a wide variety of individuals regarding all aspects of retirement plans and/or employee benefit plans;
  • Conducts training seminars and develops training materials and manuals on state and municipal retirement systems and/or employee benefit plans;
  • Researches impact of legislation, regulations and collective bargaining provisions on retirement system;
  • Examines retirement calculations and procedures to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and state or federal requirements;
  • Prepares unit reports;
  • Interprets and applies relevant Connecticut General Statutes and federal regulations pertaining to retirement and/or employee benefits;
  • Analyzes and prepares benefit, accounting, financial and administrative statements;
  • Acts as a liaison with agency human resources employees with respect to difficult retirements;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to apply relevant agency policies and procedures;
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • principles and practices of public employee retirement and benefit administration;
    • human resources and payroll practices and procedures;
    • basic examining and researching principles and practices;
    • governmental accounting as applied to retirement and benefit administration;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • prepare, analyze and evaluate employee benefits statements, other employee records and reports, and benefit claims and cost data;
    • utilize various databases systems for retirement and benefits management;
    • read and interpret written materials;
    • lead other employees;
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in employee benefit and/or retirement administration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the paraprofessional level in the fields of accounts examining, human resources, payroll or related administrative function.

NOTE: For state employees the Special Experience is interpreted at the level of Associate Retirement Examiner, Payroll System Coordinator, Payroll Officer 1, Assistant Accountant, Human Resources Assistant or Fiscal/Administrative Assistant.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
  • A Master’s degree in business administration, accounting or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience ensuring compliance with statutory and financial requirements through auditing, reconciliation, or review of employee benefit or payroll data. 
  • Experience processing benefit payments and administering overpayment recovery, including cases involving deceased retirees or annuitants.
  • Experience utilizing enterprise HRIS, financial, or case management systems and developing queries using SQL or similar tools to analyze and validate data, including Microsoft Suite, HRMS, CRM, Core-CT Financials, FileNet, STARS, EPM, Queries, and SQL. 
  •  Experience reviewing and analyzing retirement or benefits records to implement statutory or plan provisions. 
  • Experience independently performing complex retirement benefit calculations, including death benefits, across one or more public sector retirement systems (e.g., SERS, MERS, Judges, Family Support Magistrates and Compensation Commissioners Retirement System, States’ Attorney Retirement System, and Public Defenders Retirement System.)
  • Experience communicating complex or sensitive benefit and retirement information clearly and effectively to a variety of stakeholders, including employees, retirees, and HR professionals, using both verbal and written communication skills.

Conclusion

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES AND THOSE RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE INDICATED ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.  If you are requesting special accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) please contact osc.hr@ct.gov.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.



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