Accounting & Finance | Pension Entitlements Officer - FT

Pension Services administers the pension benefits for members of the University of Victoria and oversees investment programs to support the Boards of Pension Trustees and various pension committees for the Combination Pension Plan; the Money Purchase Pension Plan; the Staff Pension Plan; and the Supplemental Benefit Arrangement (the “pension plans”). 

As a key member of Pension Services, the Pensions Entitlement Officer provides assistance to the Associate Director in the planning, development, communication administration and implementation of pension services and programs for the University Community.  The position provides individual consultation to plan members and their legal and financial counselors regarding projected and final pensions; calculate pension benefits, including commuted values, pension divisions on marital breakdown; amounts transferable under portability arrangements; and survivor benefits payable from the defined benefit, defined contribution and combination plans of the University. The position maintains the cumulative distribution and member’s account balances in certain of the pension plans, and audit monthly bank reconciliations and prepare other reconciliations as required. In addition the Officer may develop and present annual retirement seminars and other communications regarding retirement planning.

A bachelor’s degree in business, economics or related field plus five years’ related experience, preferably in a financial environment including several years of experience performing complex pension benefits calculations (preferably under both defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans).

An equivalent combination of education training and experience may be considered.

• strong analytical skills coupled with the ability to perform detailed calculations quickly and accurately and exercise judgment in non-routine cases;
• a good working knowledge of the Pension Benefits Standards Act (BC),  relevant sections of the Income Tax Act (Canada), the Family Law Act (BC) and be able to exercise judgment and interpret the plan documents and governing legislation for complex cases;
• a solid understanding of the financial markets and other factors that impact pensions; 
• the ability to communicate effectively writing and orally to both individuals and large groups who have varying levels of pension knowledge 
• excellent computer skills in order to be able to work with a variety of applications including spreadsheets, word processing applications and databases 
• the ability to manage and meet deadlines under a heavy workload while operating with a high degree of independence.