Benefits specialists administer an organization's benefits programs. This includes a retirement plan, its leave policies, wellness programs, and any relevant insurance policies including life insurance, health insurance, and disability insurance. Benefits specialists research and analyze benefit plans, policies, and programs. They make recommendations from findings in their analysis and frequently monitor government regulation legislation and other benefit trends to ensure their programs remain current, legal, and competitive.
Benefits specialists are responsible for the management of employee perks and benefits packages in addition to insurance and retirement, this could include stock options and training programs. They are responsible for the design and negotiation of health benefits and retirement packages at their companies and must be fluent in health insurance and life or long-term disability insurance and other trends in employer and employee insurance. They plan and negotiate a company’s benefits packages and administer programs for various companies and organizations. Benefits specialists need a bachelor’s degree in human resources with an emphasis on business management and ethics.