Retirement Specialist I
Salary
$38,468.64 - $40,375.84 Annually
Location
25 - HINDS COUNTY, MS
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
9471-0530-20260624Hs
Department
0530 - PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Opening Date
06/29/2026
Closing Date
7/6/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary
$38,468.64
Agency Maximum Salary
$40,375.84
About the Agency
The Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS) serves the state of Mississippi by providing retirement benefits for individuals working in state government, public schools, universities, community colleges, municipalities, counties, the Legislature, highway patrol, and other such public entities. Please contact Human Resources at humanresources@pers.ms.gov for any questions.
About the Position
The Service Retirement Division processes service retirement applications and benefit estimates, performs member account analysis, prepares service credit history reports, and offers members a personal contact with PERS. Members seeking information about their service credit, general account status, or retirement benefits are assigned a retirement specialist to answer questions and help them navigate the entire retirement process. The division is responsible for identifying all types of services each member is entitled to receive, confirming awarded service credit through routine audits, informing members of audit findings, and providing benefit estimates so members can make informed retirement decisions. Duties include, but are not limited to: • Meet with members in person by appointment, by phone, virtually and in writing regarding benefits available under the defined benefit and defined contribution plans administered by PERS. • Respond professionally and appropriately with awareness that members have a diverse level of knowledge about PERS, finances, and retirement in general. Be familiar with the rules of each plan and adapt to changes in laws affecting the administration of benefits. • Audit retirement accounts to verify service credit totals, identify questionable postings, review applicable documents to clarify earnings and employment history, and contact employers for more information, as necessary. Perform account maintenance to correct improperly reported wages and service credit. • Prepare accurate Estimates of Benefits. • Process various retirement forms within established time frames. Follow up with members and employers via phone, fax, or email when additional information is needed. • Compose letters to members and employers using appropriate format, word choice, grammar, and punctuation. • Place retirees on payroll. Ensure the benefit amount is correct and that checks are set to be mailed on the appropriate dates. Set up federal tax withholding and direct deposit as specified by retirees. • Recalculate retirement benefits after all wages and service credit have posted to accounts. Use existing Excel spreadsheets to calculate the amount of underpayment or overpayment. • Performs other duties as assigned.
What youll need to be Successful
Applicant should be customer focused, quality oriented, innovative, and results and learning oriented; should communicate effectively; and must display strong teamwork, time management and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
The candidate for this position must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 0-2 years of experience.
No available description
Health/Prescription Insurance
Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick Leave
Full-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
How many years of experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of related experience.)
02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?
Required Question
Employer State of Mississippi
Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201
Phone 601-359-1406
601-359-1406