Retirement Benefits Counsellor at Sygnia Asset Management

Job Description

THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO) TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

• Provide well-considered retirement benefits counselling and advice to members of SURF.
• Provide members and clients with information and advice on investments, legislation and pending legislative changes which could impact the participating employer’s benefit structure.
• Handle member queries with circumspection and confidentiality.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ongoing interaction with employee benefits consultants, SURF’s participating employers and other service providers, as required.
• Provide investment, retirement benefits and member portal presentations to members.
• Liaison to assist and escalate administration and member portal queries.
• Continuous educational development in field of expertise.
• Detailed knowledge of group risk benefit arrangements.
• Attend management committee meetings when needed.
• Be able to develop, maintain and enhance relationships not only with clients/consultants but the wider employee benefits team.

TCF

• Adhere to high service standards to conform with TCF principles.
• Keep abreast of latest TCF information and guidelines.

ROLE QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• A post graduate qualification related to employee benefits or law.
• CFP would be advantageous.
• Membership of a professional body (e.g. FPI).
• Excellent knowledge of legislation governing retirement funds.
• FAIS qualifications.
• 3-5 years employee benefits consulting experience.
• Good understanding and interpretation of Pension funds, FAIS and related legislation
   

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

Strong knowledge of employee benefit industry
Strong knowledge of Pension Funds, FAIS and related legislation
Compliance and governance of pension fund structures
Pension Fund Act and Regulations associated circulars issued by registrar
Working knowledge of Retirement Fund Law, Income Tax Act, Labour Relations Act, Divorce Act and Long-Term Insurance Act
Knowledge of Financial Sector Regulations Act
Knowledge of retail products (retirement annuity funds, living annuities, life annuities and unit trusts) as many complaints (Adjudicator, FAIS Ombud and even social media complaints) relate to these.
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