Senior Pension Benefits Officer

About Us

As Saskatchewan Pension Plan (SPP) continues to grow, we are excited to offer new opportunities to be part of our team. Many of our current leaders have advanced through internal promotions, and we remain committed to supporting career development for those who share our passion for member service and operational excellence.

SPP was created in 1986 and is a fully funded, capital accumulation plan created by the provincial government. SPP provides a professionally managed pension plan at low fees to individuals with little or no access to employer-sponsored pensions. SPP has over $900 M in assets under management and over 30,000 members.

The Opportunity

The SPP is seeking a well-organized, client-focused, and efficient individual to join its team in Kindersley as a Senior Pension Benefits Officer. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys applying technical expertise, solving complex problems, and providing exceptional service to members and stakeholders in a collaborative environment.

In this role, you will oversee the administration of post-retirement pension benefits and provide expert guidance regarding pension legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. You will support retired members and beneficiaries by ensuring the accurate administration of annuity and Variable Benefit (VB) pension accounts while maintaining compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.

As our successful candidate, you will have strong attention to detail and demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities. You bring advanced knowledge of pension administration, legislative compliance, and client service, along with excellent verbal and written communication skills. You have the ability to interpret complex pension information and explain it clearly to members and stakeholders while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and professionalism. The successful candidate must pass the Canadian investment Funds Course within the first six months of employment.

Typically, the knowledge and skills required for this position would be attained through completion of a two-year business program or an equivalent combination of education and experience, supplemented by several years of progressively responsible experience in pension administration, financial services, or a related field. Completion of the Canadian Investment Funds Course is required. Pension-related education or designations, such as the Pension Plan Administration Certificate (PPAC) or Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), would be considered an asset.

The successful candidate shall be subject to a Criminal Record Check as a condition of employment.

• Administering and overseeing annuity and Variable Benefit pension accounts;
• Reviewing and processing pension payments, adjustments, and account maintenance activities;
• Providing guidance and counselling to members, beneficiaries, legal representatives, and financial advisors regarding pension benefits, taxation, payment options, and beneficiary matters;
• Reviewing and interpreting legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance;
• Auditing pension calculations and payment transactions to ensure accuracy and quality standards are met;
• Performing reconciliations and preparing reports related to pension payments and post-retirement administration activities;
• Responding to complex member and stakeholder inquiries by phone, email, and written correspondence;
• Testing system enhancements and participating in business process improvement initiatives;
• Developing and maintaining procedures, reports, Excel spreadsheets, and Word mail merges to support operational efficiency; and
• Providing technical guidance, coaching, and support to staff involved in post-retirement pension administration.

Job Capabilities:

In this leadership and supervisory role, we are seeking someone who:

• Holds themselves and others accountable for delivering on work expectations.
• Demonstrates innovation and supports colleagues in identifying and implementing new solutions.
• Brings people together in a collaborative manner and builds relationships that deliver desired outcomes.
• Is inclusive, promotes belonging, encourages diverse perspectives, and values all contributions.
• Is adaptable, anticipates the impact of change, and helps others navigate ambiguity.
• Is outcomes-focused, consistently delivers high-quality results, and balances longer-term objectives with operational needs.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

You will have knowledge of:

• Pension administration principles, practices, and industry standards;
• Applicable pension legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Retirement income products and programs, including Variable Benefits, annuities, RRSPs, LIRAs, PRRIFs, CPP, and OAS;
• Financial and accounting principles related to pension payments, reconciliations, and reporting;
• Client service practices and techniques for effectively communicating complex financial information;
• Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook, as well as database systems;
• Quality assurance and audit practices used to verify calculations and ensure compliance; and
• Business process improvement and system testing methodologies.

You will have the demonstrated skills and abilities to:

• Interpret, apply, and communicate complex legislation, policies, and pension plan provisions;
• Analyze and resolve complex pension administration issues while exercising sound judgment and discretion;
• Audit pension calculations, payment transactions, and account adjustments with a high degree of accuracy;
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with members, beneficiaries, legal representatives, financial advisors, and other stakeholders;
• Provide counselling and guidance regarding retirement income options, taxation considerations, and pension-related matters;
• Prepare reports and develop spreadsheets, queries, and Word mail merges to support operational requirements;
• Manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to organizational initiatives;
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and support to colleagues; and
• Build collaborative working relationships and contribute to a positive team environment.

Job Skills:

• Communication (Level C)
• Critical Thinking (Level C)
• Digital Skills (Level C)
• Interacting with Others (Level C)
• Navigating Ambiguity (Level C)
• Managing Self (Level C)
• Health, Safety and Wellness (Level C)
• Data Literacy (Level C)
• Influence (Level C)
• Political and Organizational Awareness (Level C)
• Managing Organizational Resources (Level B)
• Managing Talent (Level B)

Learn more about the Government of Saskatchewan’s Capabilities and Skills Framework here.

What We Offer:

• Dynamic and challenging work
• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension
• Vacation, scheduled days off, and other types of leave
• Inclusive work environments
• Career growth, development, and advancement opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements

Our Commitment to Excellence:

The Government of Saskatchewan upholds deep-rooted values of Respect and Integrity, Serving Citizens, Excellence and Innovation, and Acting as One Team.