Manager of Survivor Benefits

About the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General (“Treasury”)

Our mission is to manage and safeguard the State's public deposits and investments through sound business practices for the exclusive benefits of our citizens, and perform these duties with integrity, excellence, and leadership. Additionally, we strive to provide economic opportunity, stability, and security for every Massachusetts resident.

We are committed to excellence in recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse and qualified individuals. We value a culture of diversity and professionalism in the workplace and strongly believe that our workforce should reflect our community. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FM68GFV

Purpose of the Job: Manages and oversees staff in the administration of survivor and death benefits for members and beneficiaries of the Retirement Board.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

• Oversee and approve requests for survivor benefits. 

• Verify beneficiary designations as well as service and amounts due to the estate of members and notify estate of available benefits. 

• Handle "difficult/problem" cases. 

• Supervise survivor benefit staff and communicate Board policy to department.

• Update and meet with managers on regular basis concerning department activities. 

• Communicate goals of department staff. 

• Ensures the accurate and timely processing of all survivor benefit payments each month. 

• Designate assignments to staff as necessary. 

• Train new members of the Survivor Benefits Department. 

• Work with and assist members, Treasury, state agencies, Legal and outside retirement boards, municipalities and other government entities.

• Develop expertise and facilitate staff knowledge of MARIS, OnBase and MSRBeyond. 

Other Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provide feedback to managers concerning problem cases, board policies and inquiries from members. 

• Work with managers to enhance customer service and implement workplace goals. 

• Create teamwork environment within the department and throughout board. 

• Maintain appropriate coverage within department. 

• Provide phone and in-person counseling to answer members' inquiries. 

• Research and process bank deposits, pop-ups, activations of option C benefits and Disability cases.

• Ensure all cases presented to the Board by the team are accurate, factual and provide all the information and documentation needed. 

• Oversee research of claims from the estates of deceased active/inactive employees. 

• Process stop payments/re-issued requests. 

• Maintain statistics regarding departmental transactions. 

• Ensure implementation of Board and Treasury human resource policies. 

• Travel as required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Survivor Benefit Staff 

Knowledge and Skills:

• Working knowledge or M.G.L. c. 32. 

• Retirement Board Computer System

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 10 lbs.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time

Hybrid Work Environment:

All new hires at the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General (Treasury) will go through an In-Office Orientation Period consisting of a combination of virtual, in-person and on-the-job training so as to assimilate you to the Treasury’s culture and work environment. Following the initial In-Office Orientation Period a gradual transition to hybrid work will take place over the first 3–8 weeks of employment.

The hybrid work environment will consist of two (2) days in the office each week, with one of these days being either a Monday or a Friday. There will be an additional (1) day in the office per month for a mandatory in person department meeting.