Senior Risk Administrator- Section37C

Our client is a leading retirement-fund administrator, committed to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and service excellence to members and beneficiaries. They are seeking an experienced Senior Risk Administrator to support the administration and adjudication of death benefit claims in terms of Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act, read together with the Rules of the Fund, as well as ill-health/disability retirement claims where required. The role focuses on managing complex death claims, mentoring Risk Administrators, and providing technically sound recommendations to support Trustee decision-making. The position requires strong working knowledge of Section 37C, dependency assessment principles, beneficiary identification (including minor and major dependants), and compliance with legislative and fund-rule requirements.

Section 37C Death Claims Administration

• Screen, assess, and evaluate death claims to determine validity and compliance with Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act.
• Identify outstanding information and allocate tracing and follow-up activities to Risk Administrators.
• Trace potential dependants and nominees, including spouses, minor and major children, and other dependants.
• Liaise with employers, colleagues, relatives, and other information sources to obtain accurate and consistent beneficiary information.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies or inconsistencies in information received.
• Provide technical input and recommendations on beneficiary allocation for submission to management and the Board of Trustees.
• Refer completed claims for management oversight and Trustee consideration in accordance with governance processes.
• Verify contribution status and confirm benefit entitlement, referring non-qualifying cases to Operations for refund of contributions where applicable.

Administration, Quality Control & Reporting

• Process claims and authorise payments in line with delegated authority.
• Review claim calculations, supporting documentation, and payment instructions for accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure accurate updating of member details and validation of banking information.
• Oversee and resolve payment rejections and related queries.
• Ensure all correspondence, documentation, and system notes are accurately captured on the administration system (Everest).
• Support the compilation of monthly Claims Committee agendas and minutes.

Team Support & Client Service

• Support the Risk Team Leader in monitoring workflow, turnaround times, and quality standards. Mentor, coach, and provide technical support to Risk Administrators.
• Handle complex or escalated client queries professionally and empathetically.
• Respond to written and telephonic enquiries from members, employers, the bargaining council, and other stakeholders.
• Promote teamwork through regular follow-ups, shared updates, and collaborative problem-solving. Stand in for the Risk Team Leader when required.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives within the department

Qualifications

• Degree/Diploma in a business administration related qualification
• Retirement Funds qualification (Certificate of Proficiency, RE1, RE5, or working towards the same)

Experiance

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in Retirement Fund Administration.
• At least 2 years' experience as a Claims Administrator (death and ill-health/disability claims).
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in checking claims and authorising/releasing payments.
• Strong working knowledge of the Pension Funds Act, with specific emphasis on Section 37C. Experience in dependency assessments and beneficiary identification.
• Sound understanding of financial calculations, including taxable and tax-free benefit components. Experience using the Everest administration system.
• Understanding of the role of Bargaining Councils and customer service principles within financial services.

Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth knowledge of Section 37C adjudication principles and case law.
• Strong understanding of ill-health/disability retirement claims.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. High attention to detail and sound judgement. Knowledge of POPIA, FICA, and FAIS requirements.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word and Excel). Ability to manage sensitive cases with professionalism and empathy.
• Strong time-management and organisational skills.

R400 000 pa