Pensions Officer

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scheme Administration

• Maintain accurate records of all SPSPS members, including service history, salary details, and contribution data.

• Liaise with HR Department to process new entrants to the scheme, ensuring correct onboarding and membership classification.

• Calculate and process pension benefits, including retirement lump sums, annual pensions, and survivor benefits.

• Manage Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) deductions and ensure compliance with relevant circulars.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure adherence to the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 and all related circulars.

• Prepare and submit Annual Benefit Statements and other statutory reports within required deadlines.

• Liaise with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Single Scheme Databank for data uploads and compliance checks.

Payroll & Finance Integration

• Work closely with Payroll, Finance and HR teams to ensure accurate deduction and remittance of pension contributions.

• Reconcile pension-related transactions and assist with audits and financial reporting requirements.

Employee Support & Communication

• Act as the primary point of contact for pension queries from staff and retirees for SPSPS.

• Provide clear guidance on scheme rules, retirement options, and purchase of service provisions.

• Deliver information sessions or training for staff on pension entitlements and scheme updates.

• Provide guidance to staff on other pension schemes in place in Muiriosa Foundation.

Policy & Process Development

• Keep up to date with legislative changes, government circulars, and best practice in public service pensions.

• Review and update internal procedures to ensure efficiency and compliance.

• Assist in the development of organisational pension policies and procedures.

Systems & Data Management

• Maintain and update pension administration systems and databases (e.g., Single Scheme Databank Portal).

• Ensure data integrity and confidentiality in line with GDPR and organisational policies.

Governance & Risk Management

• Support internal and external audits related to pensions.

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with pension administration.

The duties of the Pensions Officer include but are not limited to the responsibilities listed in this Job Description.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

In the course of your employment, you may have access to or hear information concerning the medical affairs or personal affairs of clients and or staff or other centre business, such records and instructions of an authorised person on no account must be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty. In addition, records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required. Breaches of confidentiality are regarded as a serious offence and will lead to disciplinary action or may warrant dismissal.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE:

The Muiríosa Foundation has established standards of performance encompassing conduct in the workplace, competence to carry out the role for which a staff member is employed and capability to attend work. Failure to meet required standards may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Competence to carry out the role is essential and the standard of performance to carry out the role is monitored and reviewed.

Regular attendance is required to fulfil the role. The standard of performance is measured on how punctuality and good attendance is maintained.

Good working relationships with clients, colleagues and management must be maintained and Communication Code and Dignity at Work policy adhered to.

Adherence to satisfactory standards of professional conduct.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances to include any other duties and responsibilities as determined by management.

Education and Qualifications

• Qualified by experience in pensions ideal (e.g. experience in public service pension schemes).

• Accounting Technician or Part Qualified Accountant desirable.

Work Experience

• At least 5 Year’s Relevant Experience in a finance function.

• Experience in pensions administration, ideally in the public sector entity is highly desirable.

• Experience working with payroll/HR systems and data reconciliation in a public sector entity desirable.

• Experience in a Section 38 publicly funded organisation desirable.

Knowledge and skills

• Technical knowledge of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (SPSPS) strongly preferable.

• Displays professional knowledge and skills in order to undertake role.

• Excellent communication skills – able to explain pension concepts clearly to non-specialists.

• Strong organisational and process-improvement mindset.

• Comfortable with audit and compliance requirements.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and comfortable learning new HR/Payroll systems.

Attributes

• High level of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism in handling sensitive employee information.

• Flexible and capable of managing competing priorities within their workload.

• Excellent attention to detail required.

• Work on their own initiative as well as being a team player supporting their colleagues.

Other factors

• Willing to undertake education and training as may be required for the role.

• As part of the role, you will be required to travel between locations.