Nova 401(k) Associates · 4 months ago
Defined Benefit Specialist II or III
United States
Full-time
Remote
Mid, Senior Level
$70K/yr - $100K/yr
5+ years expNova 401(k) Associates is a rapidly growing national firm providing administrative and actuarial services to companies sponsoring 401(k), pension, and other qualified retirement plans. As a Defined Benefit Specialist II or III, you will manage end-to-end annual administration for a caseload of DB and cash balance plans, ensuring high-quality technical deliverables and serving as a trusted resource for clients and colleagues.
ConsultingFinancial Services
No H1B
Responsibilities
Prepare annual actuarial work including valuations and ASC 715 & 916 calculations; complete non‑discrimination testing, benefit certifications, and government filings (e.g., Form 5500 and PBGC comprehensive filings)
Code DB and DC plans from scratch in Nova’s third‑party actuarial software; review and improve coding for accuracy and efficiency
Perform and review benefit calculations (DB/CB) and assemble distribution packages for terminations; check owner‑only illustrations as needed
Conduct asset & liability analysis, identify gain/loss drivers, and communicate findings clearly to internal teams and clients
Prepare proposal illustrations for prospects with accurate assumptions and clear documentation
Lead the PBGC standard termination workstream for assigned plans: prepare Form 500, Schedule EA‑S, Notices of Plan Benefits (NOPB), and distribution packages within deadlines
Contribute to training and onboarding of new DB specialists; manage assignments through Nova’s project management processes
Serve as a liaison between the DB team and the Combo Account Management team within Nova; triage and resolve escalations
Review and sign off (as appropriate) on deliverables prepared by Specialists/Analysts; drive quality control and process improvements
Plan and execute complex plan terminations (including PBGC filings and participant communications) and unusual design or funding scenarios
Mentor team members toward professional credentials (e.g., QKA/QPA) and best practices in modeling, testing, and documentation
Qualification
Required
5–10 years of hands‑on DB administration experience (cash balance a plus): valuations, ASC 715/916, testing, government filings, and benefit calculations
A positive attitude, strong energy, and team spirit, with the willingness to contribute to the team and communicate cheerfully with all team members
Demonstrated proficiency coding plans in third‑party actuarial software and critically reviewing numerical work product
Clear, concise written and verbal communication; proven ability to manage a dashboard of work and meet deadlines
Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical/problem‑solving mindset
Experience preparing PBGC standard termination packages (Form 500, EA‑S, NOPB) and managing to regulatory timelines
Strong command of 401(a)(4) nondiscrimination testing and related IRC regulations, with the ability to mentor staff on key concepts such as IRC 401(a)(4), 401(a)(26), 415, and similar provisions
Preferred
ASPPA QKA and QPA (or strong progress), with ongoing commitment to professional development
Exposure to proposal modeling/illustrations and client‑facing communication
Process‑orientation and aptitude for training/mentoring junior staff
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, disability, life insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) with employer match
Company
Nova 401(k) Associates
Nova 401(k) Associates is a financial services firm headquartered in Houston.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Arasely Valdez, ERPA, QPA, QKA, APA
Chief Operations Officer
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