How long does it take to become a Benefit Specialist?

It takes 6 years of professional experience to become a benefit specialist. That is the time it takes to learn specific benefit specialist skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 9 to 11 years years to become a benefit specialist.

Is it hard to be a benefits specialist?

No, it is not hard to be a benefits specialist. While all jobs have challenges, working as a benefits specialist is fairly easy. A benefits specialist handles employee compensation packages, including retirement and insurance benefits, as part of a company's human resources (HR) department. Duties include orienting new employees on their benefits packages and enrolling them in programs, and answering existing employees' questions regarding benefits.

What education is needed to become a benefits consultant?

The education needed to become a benefits consultant is typically a bachelor's degree. To become a qualified benefits consultant, a person needs to have a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, economics, or another related area of study.

How to Become A Benefit Specialist in 2022: Step by Step Guide And Career Paths

On top of being paid, full-time employees usually expect some benefits. That's where benefit specialists come into play. These specialists are in charge of reviewing, updating and knowing everything there is to know about the organization's benefit program.

Since benefits are offered in many industries, this job comes with a lot of opportunity. In fact, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a job. The only requirement is to have earned a bachelor's degree and a bit of experience. That's not too much to ask for, especially when you have so many opportunities across nearly every industry.

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists conduct an organization’s compensation and benefits programs. They also evaluate position descriptions to determine details such as a person’s classification and salary.

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree, and some specialists need related work experience.

Education

Most employers require that compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists have a bachelor’s degree. Many specialists have a degree in human resources, business administration, finance, communication, or a related field. Some employers may accept previous work experience in lieu of a formal degree.

Not all colleges and universities offer an undergraduate degree in human resources, but many offer courses in human resources management, compensation analysis, and benefits administration. Students with a background in other disciplines may benefit from taking courses in business, management, finance, and accounting.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

For many jobs, compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists must have previous work experience. Employers commonly require that the previous experience includes performing compensation analysis, benefits administration, or general human resources work. Experience in related fields such as finance, insurance, or business administration, also may be beneficial.

Jobseekers without a degree in human resources must have relevant work experience. Some workers may gain this experience through internships. However, most gain experience from working in human resources.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Although certification is not required, it can demonstrate professional expertise. Some employers prefer to hire certified candidates, but many employers will have their employees become certified after they are already working. Certification programs for management positions often require several years of related work experience in order to qualify for the credential.

Many associations for human resources workers offer classes to enhance the skills of their members. Some associations, including the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and WorldatWork, offer certification programs that specialize in compensation and benefits. Others, including the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management, offer general human resources credentials.

Advancement

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists may advance to a compensation and benefits manager or a human resources manager position. Specialists typically need several years of work experience to advance.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Many specialists perform data or cost analyses to form logical conclusions. For example, they may analyze the cost of choosing a particular salary scale for a class of workers.

Business acumen. Specialists must understand basic finance and accounting.

Communication skills. Specialists often work with employees throughout their organization to provide information on compensation and benefits. They may give presentations or advise managers or employees about compensation policies or benefit plans.

Critical-thinking skills. Specialists must think critically when evaluating job positions, salary scales, promotion practices, and other compensation and benefits policies.

Detail oriented. Specialists must pay attention to detail, especially when ensuring that the organization is compliant with federal and state laws.

Rank	Company	Zippia Score	Average Benefit Specialist Salary
1	1.Fidelity Investments	4.8	$68,356
2	2.DXC Technology	4.8	$63,077
3	3.MetLife	4.8	$53,260
4	4.Benefitfocus	4.7	$52,961
5	5.Unum	4.7	$49,940
6	6.Ceridian	4.6	$49,443


Noah Williams Benefit Specialist Contact Information Los Angeles, CA (370) 555-9462 nwilliams@example.com Skills Health Care Osha Social Security Human Resources Job Descriptions Strength Management Powerpoint Insurance Companies Plan Provisions Hire Orientations


Employment History Benefit Specialist2018 - Present Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, CA Coordinate with the HR Service Center, regional Benefits Office and local HR office to deliver integrated services to employee population. Invited to participate on the RFP committee for FSA's. Create COB Policies and Desk Level Procedures for implementation by the COB Department, Claims Operations, and Claims training. Maintained relationships with Senior Leaders, Department Chiefs and Managers on performance management. Answered their questions on active and retirement healthcare benefits, and retirement plans. Employee Benefits Supervisor2013 - 2018 Paramount Pictures Los Angeles, CA Administer leave of absence policy and procedures to 3,500 Paramount Pictures employees and Paramount Pictures 19 stations in 15 states. Presented quarterly week-long training sessions for corporate benefits staff and field human resources personnel. Saved the company hundreds of dollars by creating the payroll reports instead of purchasing them. Compensation/Benefits Specialist2012 - 2013 Aflac Los Angeles, CA Completed in house investigations and resolutions of 100% of payroll discrepancies. Helped update the procedures manual as well as handle projects assigned by my manager. Education Bachelor's Degree Business2004 - 2007 Ashford University San Diego, CA


Steven Hernandez Benefit Specialist Contact Info Winston-Salem, NC (500) 555-6398 shernandez@example.com Skills Plan Design Personnel Files Veterans FSA Company Policies Insurance Companies Plan Documents Health Care Life Insurance Absence Employment History Benefit Specialist2020 - Present AonWinston-Salem, NC Provided quality service to national, corporate client groups of physicians, executives and health care administrators daily. Maintained and updated administrative procedures based on legal, fiscal, and regulatory changes. Review Customer Service Guidelines in order to prioritize work on daily basis meeting regulatory-related, sensitive, and changing time-lines. Handle human resources projects and activities that require a sound, broad knowledge of human resources principles and practices. Senior Benefits Specialist2018 - 2020 Fidelity InvestmentsDurham, NC Provided customer service in the area of Benefits and Insurance and payroll. Trained new representatives on the great call model and Oracle systems process and customer service. Maintained Excel spreadsheet programs for benefit calculations and lend support on user acceptance testing. Standardized documents provided to customer service to have an outstanding and favorable Enrollment period. Supported a staff of customer service associates. Manage case files and legal plan documents, and make updates to internal business practices. Benefits Assistant2017 - 2018 ACSRaleigh, NC Act as a liaison between group personnel, employees, insurance companies, and management. Calmed angry callers, repaired trust, located resources for problem resolution and suggested best-option solutions. Provide one-to-one telephone contact with NJ Family(Medicaid) care beneficiaries, applicants, and enrollees. Performed personnel accounting and strength management. Education Bachelor's Degree Business2014 - 2017 Strayer UniversityWashington, DC


Sharon Flores Benefit Specialist Raleigh, NC (370) 555-1522 sflores@example.com Experience Benefit Specialist2020 - Present American Income Life Insurance ...•Raleigh, NC Review current policy coverage from other insurance companies and fill in the gaps with AIL insurance. State of Maryland Life Insurance license. Advise members and policyholders of there protection options as well as life insurance. Use basic office programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Process Medicare applications in accordance with federal mandates and policies. Benefits Representative2018 - 2020 Fidelity Investments•Durham, NC Serve as the day-to-day contact to clients and participants for problem resolution, transaction issues and data questions Educated customers to take ownership of their needs and maximize their retirement and health carebenefits. Supported a staff of customer service associates. Client Services Analyst2016 - 2018 Bank of America•Phoenix, AZ Train new associates on all system functions and processing procedures. Facilitate Change Control and Client On-boarding procedures to ensure successful migration of clients onto new FixPlus infrastructure. Researched customer service issues and discrepancies within all operational areas. Worked in SQL and Visual Studio to pull queries, create reports, and analyze data for daily reports. dedicated to supporting the applications used by the Customer Service Managers and Process Support Associates. Skills Insurance CompaniesActive DirectoryIncentive ProgramsClient ServiceOnlineCustomer ServicePowerpointSharepointPayrollData Analysis Education Bachelor's Degree Business2008 - 2011 Arizona State University•Phoenix, AZ

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