A benefits coordinator assists human resources personnel, such as benefits specialists, in managing employee benefits programs. They also serve as the employees’ first contact for matters related to benefits planning. Benefits coordinators are common in human resources departments across various industries, including telecommunications, manufacturing, finance, and construction.
Human resources departments across small businesses and large corporations need benefits coordinators. These coordinators can handle various duties, but their primary function is to address an organization’s administrative requirements and benefit plans. Such programs involve extensive interaction and communication with retirement and insurance plan providers.
The benefits coordinator role is multi-faceted, involving interpersonal skills, human resource management capabilities, and intelligent planning abilities. Unfortunately, such varied details often make it challenging to understand this position. Therefore, before becoming one, you should read about the benefits coordinator role and its associated responsibilities.
This article will explain all the duties associated with the benefits coordinator role, how they help organizations improve employee satisfaction, and why this position is crucial for all HR departments.
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The Benefits Coordinator Role
The benefits coordinator’s role concentrates on communicating the employee benefits packages and incentive plans offered at an organization. They work closely with benefits managers and have to factor in the organization’s culture policies, employee retention and satisfaction statistics, and human resource strategy.
The benefits coordinator job description requires great communication skills. Additionally, benefits coordinators must be talented at efficiently coordinating incentive programs with benefit providers and satisfying employee expectations.
Some other vital duties of benefits coordinators are described below:
- Conduct extensive and up-to-date research about workplace-related legislation.
- Administer terminations, status changes, and benefits enrollment.
- Help to comply with governmental and company regulations about strategic record-keeping.
- Assist workers with pension funds, life, dental, health, and other benefits claims.
- Verify the monthly premium statements calculation for all relevant group insurance policies and maintain statistical data that affect costs, claims, and premiums. They also ought to resolve administrative issues with carrier representatives.
- Review and respond to unemployment matters with pertinent documentation every month.
- Prepare and maintain biweekly workers’ reports, absentee reports, and new hires. Also, they ought to run, and update requested statements like phone directories and organizational charts.
The following image shows you the different employee benefits a coordinator has to oversee and educate employees about.
Check out our human resources courses at HR University to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to become a competent benefits coordinator.
Most Important Benefits Coordinator Responsibilities
The duties of a benefits coordinator can vary from organization to organization. For example, larger corporations with more benefits coordinators would mean each personnel can coordinate a specific benefit or incentive. However, benefits coordinators at smaller companies have to handle multiple employee benefits and have a more significant workload.
Some critical professional responsibilities a benefits coordinator can expect are explained below.
Guide Employees Around Health Plans
Health plans are an integral part of an organization’s employee benefits. Therefore, benefits coordinators must guide employees through their health plans and be their primary source of information. Additionally, they must remain up-to-date regarding applicable laws to provide reliable and practical advice about their benefits.
Benefits coordinators must closely understand the company’s health plan coverage and benefits, workers’ premiums, employer contributions, and deductibles. Only then can they communicate the details to employees and ensure they benefit from this incentive in their hour of need.
Manage Employee Retirement Plans
Benefits coordinators handle all the workers’ questions regarding the retirement plans available in the company. Therefore, they must be well-versed in workers’ stock purchase plans, retirement savings vehicles, and 401 (k) of 403 (b) plans. Benefits coordinators advise workers with zero knowledge about savings programs and guide them on the most appropriate saving plan based on their circumstances.
They also coordinate with the employees and payroll regarding the company’s contributions to the workers saving plans. Above all, they handle questions regarding rollovers and vesting for employees who retire or leave the company.
Administer and Coordinate FMLA Leaves
This Family and Medical Leave Act offers eligible workers about 12 weeks of free leave for workers with an extreme medical condition or a family member. Benefits coordinators assist employees while managing record-keeping and paperwork for a worker’s FMLA leave.
Benefits coordinators also have to communicate any documentation needed for FMLA records. For example, they must let the employees know they must provide doctor’s documentation to estimate their time off work.
Navigate Finances of Employee Benefits Plans
Benefits coordinators are responsible for finances surrounding benefits plans and collective bargaining agreements. Since they know the company’s spending limits for implementing employee benefits, they offer scenarios where negotiators can bargain.
For instance, they can provide spreadsheets illustrating the overall company cost based on variables like raising employee wages in 25% increments and increasing its health plan amount by $1. Such analysis informs negotiation sessions as the company management presents benefits and wage proposals to the labor union negotiators.
Manage Outsourced Human Resource Responsibilities
Benefits coordinators can advise who to outsource human resource functions to where the company wants to let others handle human resources tasks.
A good practice is to hire a dedicated coordinator who oversees any operations the company outsources in the human resources department. Thus, such coordinators are the liaison between retirement plan providers, insurance companies, employers, and employees.
Conclusion
Benefits coordinators are crucial for a human resources department since they assist workers in understanding their company benefits. For example, they deliver presentations at the orientation level to explain to new employees their company benefits and when they can enjoy them. Therefore, the benefits coordinator position can be an excellent career opportunity for individuals with strong collaborative, interpersonal, and communication skills.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that job opportunities will increase across numerous HR-related professions, such as human resources specialists, benefits coordinators, and benefits specialists, throughout 2025. This growth will be due to improved employment law and healthcare reform. Thus, there will be many opportunities for roles like benefits coordinator.
With the proper training and experience, you can become a skillful benefits coordinator yourself. However, throughout your learning process, you should remember that the role aims to assist employees and answer any employee questions.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about benefits coordinators.
What does a benefits coordinator do?
A benefits coordinator manages various employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans. They assist employees in understanding their benefit options and help streamline the benefit enrollment process.
What skills are required for a benefits coordinator position?
Key skills for a benefits coordinator position include strong communication abilities, organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of employee benefits programs. Familiarity with HR software is also a plus.
How can I become a benefits coordinator?
To become a benefits coordinator, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field. Relevant work experience in HR or benefits administration can also enhance your qualifications.
What is the benefit enrollment process?
The benefit enrollment process involves selecting and signing up for employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement savings, and other perks offered by the employer. A benefits coordinator guides employees through this process to ensure they understand their options.
Are there benefits coordinator jobs available in every industry?
Yes, benefits coordinator jobs can be found across various industries. Nearly any company that offers employee benefits, from healthcare to finance, may need a benefits coordinator to manage those programs.
What is the difference between a benefits coordinator and a benefits manager?
Benefit coordinators focus on the day-to-day administration of benefits programs and assisting employees. In contrast, a benefits manager may have broader responsibilities, including strategy, vendor negotiations, and ensuring the benefits meet company objectives.
How much can a benefits coordinator earn?
Salaries vary depending on location, industry, and experience level. On average, a benefits coordinator can expect to earn between $45,000 and $65,000 per year, with potential for growth based on additional experience and certifications.
What are the challenges of a benefits coordinator role?
Challenges of a benefits coordinator role can include keeping up with ever-changing benefits regulations, ensuring accurate and timely enrollments, and effectively communicating complex benefits information to employees.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into the Benefits Coordinator role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft a great HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy that helps you achieve a rewarding Benefits Coordinator role.
