How to Be Employee Benefits Administrator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 11, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Employee Benefits Administrators are responsible for overseeing the implementation and maintenance of employee benefits programs. They coordinate with a variety of stakeholders, such as insurance providers, payroll staff, and human resources personnel, to ensure that employee benefits are distributed on time and accurately. By performing these duties, Employee Benefits Administrators help to ensure that employees have access to the benefits they need and that employers comply with applicable laws and regulations. In turn, this helps to promote a healthy and productive work environment, which can lead to improved employee morale, greater job satisfaction, and higher levels of productivity.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. To become an employee benefits administrator, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. You may be able to specialize in human resources, which could give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Obtain Professional Certification. After graduation, you may want to pursue a professional certification from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP). This certification is voluntary, but it can help demonstrate your expertise in the field and give you an advantage over other candidates.
Gather Work Experience. Many employers prefer to hire candidates with prior experience in employee benefits administration. Consider gaining experience through internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs in the field.
Stay Up to Date on Changes in Benefits Administration. To stay competitive, it's important to stay abreast of changes in employee benefits administration. Consider joining professional organizations and attending conferences and seminars to stay informed of best practices and new developments in the field.
Apply for Open Positions. Once you have the education, certification, and experience necessary, you can begin applying for open positions as an employee benefits administrator. Be sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to each specific job and highlight your qualifications for the position.

The success of any business is largely dependent on the quality of its employees, and offering an attractive benefits package is one of the most effective ways to recruit and retain top talent. An experienced and qualified Employee Benefits Administrator is essential to ensure that the benefits program meets the needs of employees and complies with legal and regulatory requirements. They can ensure that the right plans are in place, and that employees understand their options and how to use them.

A qualified administrator can also help employers reduce costs by finding the most efficient and cost-effective options for their company. Having a knowledgeable and capable administrator in place can make a huge difference in a company's bottom line, both in terms of recruiting top talent and in reducing costs.

You may want to check Benefits Clerk, Benefits Communications Manager, and Benefits Technology Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and administer employee benefit programs, such as health, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, and other related programs.
Evaluate and negotiate contracts with vendors to ensure cost-effectiveness of benefit plans.
Monitor and track employee benefit eligibility and plan enrollment.
Maintain accurate and complete records of benefits, claims and other related documents.
Answer employee inquiries regarding benefits and resolve any issues or complaints.
Develop and organize employee education programs to ensure understanding of benefit plans.
Develop communications materials to communicate plan changes to employees.
Conduct benefit surveys to compare plans with those of other organizations.
Prepare reports and presentations for management, board members, and other stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with regulations and laws related to employee benefits.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent organizational and communication skills
Knowledge of employee benefit plans, practices, and regulations
Ability to analyze financial and statistical data
Ability to develop and manage budgets
Proficiency in MS Excel, Word and other computer applications
Understanding of human resources principles and practices
Attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to handle confidential information
Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks

Being an Employee Benefits Administrator requires a unique set of skills to ensure the successful management of employee benefits. The most important skill to have is strong problem solving abilities. This is due to the fact that administrators are tasked with finding creative solutions to complex benefit issues.

They must be able to anticipate and identify potential problems, and develop strategies to resolve them. they must be able to analyze data and explain it in an easily understandable way. Furthermore, they must have excellent communication skills to interact with employees, employers, and various vendors.

Finally, they must have a comprehensive understanding of the laws and regulations that govern employee benefits. With these skills, Employee Benefits Administrators can ensure that the organizations they work for provide the best possible benefits to their employees.

Benefits Administrator, Retirement Benefits Specialist, and Employee Benefits Specialist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How would you describe your experience in administering employee benefit plans?
What strategies have you implemented to ensure employee satisfaction with the benefit package?
How have you managed employee benefits budgets in the past?
Describe your experience in developing, implementing and managing employee benefit plans.
What did you do to promote the company's benefit plans to new and existing employees?
How do you stay abreast of changes to legislation and regulations affecting employee benefits?
What types of employee benefits do you think are most important for a company to offer?
What processes do you have in place to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations?
How do you manage employee inquiries regarding their benefits?
How would you handle a situation where an employee is denied a requested benefit?

Common Tools in Industry

Payroll Software. A software program used to track employee wages and withholdings, as well as generate paychecks and other payroll documents. (eg: ADP)
Benefits Management Software. A software program used to manage employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans and other workplace benefits. (eg: Zenefits)
Time Tracking Software. A software program used to record and track employee time worked and hours taken off, including vacation, sick leave, and other forms of time off. (eg: TSheets)
Human Resources Information System (HRIS). A system used to manage employee data, including personnel records, benefits information and time-off requests. (eg: Oracle PeopleSoft)
Employee Self Service Portal. A web-based portal used by employees to access payroll, benefits, and other employee information. (eg: Workday)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS)
American Benefits Council
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
National Association of Health Underwriters
International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC)
Global Benefits Alliance
The ERISA Industry Committee
The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA)
National Association of Professional Benefits Administrators

We also have Leave of Absence Benefits Coordinator, Benefits Analyst, and Benefits Consultant jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Retirement Plans. A retirement plan is a financial arrangement designed to replace a portion of an employee's income upon retirement.
Health Insurance. Health insurance is a form of insurance that covers the cost of medical services for an individual or family.
401K. A 401K is a type of employer-sponsored retirement plan. It allows employees to contribute a portion of their salary to an account that is invested and potentially grows over time, tax-deferred.
Pension Plan. A pension plan is an arrangement whereby an employer provides income to an employee upon retirement.
COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) provides continuation of group health coverage that otherwise might be terminated.
Group Life Insurance. Group life insurance is a form of life insurance offered as a benefit by an employer for their employees.
Long-Term Disability Insurance. Long-term disability insurance provides income to individuals who become disabled and are unable to work for an extended period of time.
Flexible Spending Accounts. Flexible spending accounts are programs that allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical and dependent care expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Employee Benefits Administrator?

An Employee Benefits Administrator is responsible for managing and administering employee benefits programs such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee perks. They work closely with employers to ensure that these benefits are compliant with state and federal regulations and that employees are receiving the maximum benefit from them.

What are the duties of an Employee Benefits Administrator?

The duties of an Employee Benefits Administrator include researching and reviewing employee benefits programs, educating employers on the best options for their employees, administering employee benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.

What qualifications are needed to be an Employee Benefits Administrator?

Qualifications to be an Employee Benefits Administrator typically include a bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; experience with employee benefits programs; excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills; and knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding employee benefits.

What is the average salary for an Employee Benefits Administrator?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for an Employee Benefits Administrator is $67,400 as of May 2020.

What job growth is expected for Employee Benefits Administrators?

Job growth for Employee Benefits Administrators is expected to be 5% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rate is about as fast as average compared to other occupations.