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Retirement plan specialist vs enrollment specialist

The differences between retirement plan specialists and enrollment specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a retirement plan specialist and an enrollment specialist. Additionally, a retirement plan specialist has an average salary of $60,611, which is higher than the $39,666 average annual salary of an enrollment specialist.

The top three skills for a retirement plan specialist include life insurance, financial products and FINRA. The most important skills for an enrollment specialist are customer service, patients, and data entry.

Retirement plan specialist vs enrollment specialist overview

Retirement Plan SpecialistEnrollment Specialist
Yearly salary$60,611$39,666
Hourly rate$29.14$19.07
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs9,33625,464
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a retirement plan specialist do?

Retirement plan specialists are experts who plan out their client's financial needs for retirement. The specialist's design and implement savings, benefit, and pension programs for clients. They have to explain the complicated nature of compensation, investment, and retirement packages to employees clearly and concisely. They process retirement plans following company and federal regulations. Also, they often have a background in business or human resources, and they may choose to earn employee benefit certifications that may help with their career advancement.

What does an enrollment specialist do?

Typically the responsibilities of an enrollment specialist revolve around gathering information from clients, explaining policies and regulations, obtaining requirements, and determining whether the clients are eligible for the program or service. They also process and verify applications, maintain records and database of information, and handle any issues and concerns. There are also instances where they must manage billing and even process payments. Furthermore, an enrollment specialist must adhere to the company's policies and standards while reaching out to clients.

Retirement plan specialist vs enrollment specialist salary

Retirement plan specialists and enrollment specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Retirement Plan SpecialistEnrollment Specialist
Average salary$60,611$39,666
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $88,000Between $29,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City-Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-The American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between retirement plan specialist and enrollment specialist education

There are a few differences between a retirement plan specialist and an enrollment specialist in terms of educational background:

Retirement Plan SpecialistEnrollment Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Retirement plan specialist vs enrollment specialist demographics

Here are the differences between retirement plan specialists' and enrollment specialists' demographics:

Retirement Plan SpecialistEnrollment Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 54.4% Female, 45.6%Male, 25.0% Female, 75.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.8% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.4% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between retirement plan specialist and enrollment specialist duties and responsibilities

Retirement plan specialist example responsibilities.

  • Generate sales leads for personal investments, annuities and plan sales.
  • Participate in establishing and testing pension plans on PeopleSoft to automate applicable calculations.
  • Call into the ADP payroll client base to cross-sell retirement products and work with payroll reps on joint sales.
  • Research and advise clients and attorneys on laws and regulations to comply with QDRO and federal guidelines.
  • Train staff on ASC software and provide office support, as needed, for issues and new training.
  • Assist in the planning, testing and conversion of the company's payroll system from GEAC to JD Edwards.
  • Show more

Enrollment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the TRICARE information program by presenting information utilizing available media, group presentations, or mailings.
  • Manage customer relations with internal personnel, group administrators, brokers and members as related to HMO commercial insurance.
  • Maintain records pertaining to eligibility and enrollment by managing CMS reports.
  • Provide enrollment counseling to eligible recipients about Medicaid manage care and promote their voluntary enrollment into an HMO.
  • Analyze, process and manage FMLA claims to determine eligibility and certification in compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • Assist medical assistance consumers with choosing HMO's and PCP as well as with HMO and PCP transfers.
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Retirement plan specialist vs enrollment specialist skills

Common retirement plan specialist skills
  • Life Insurance, 14%
  • Financial Products, 6%
  • FINRA, 6%
  • ERISA, 6%
  • Retirement Accounts, 6%
  • Plan Design, 5%
Common enrollment specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Health Insurance, 7%
  • Enrollment Process, 6%
  • Outbound Calls, 5%

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