Benefits Specialist Jobs in New Jersey
Benefits Specialist jobs in New Jersey are consistently active, with demand concentrated in the state's large financial services, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors as well as its dense corridor of corporate headquarters, and openings run from entry-level HR coordinator roles through senior total rewards positions. The heaviest hiring is in Newark, Princeton, and Parsippany, where employers such as Prudential Financial, Johnson and Johnson, and Cognizant maintain major operations and robust HR functions. The most sought-after specialties in New Jersey right now are health and welfare plan administration, 401(k) and retirement plan compliance, and leave management under state and federal law. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 7+ Benefits Specialist jobs
Position Details
Among the key duties of the position are the following:
- Liaises with OneSource, Payroll Services, HRIT, the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (NJDPB), and pension and savings plan vendors to support the effective administration of retirement programs.
- Provides guidance to OneSource customer service and enrollment representatives, both in person and via email, on the resolution of complex pension and savings plan inquiries.
- Researches, analyzes, and responds to complex inquiries and requests from the NJDPB.
- Serves as the employer representative for internal and external audits, union grievances, and arbitrations involving plan members.
- Conducts required research, prepare supporting documentation, and appear or testify as necessary.
- Serves as a primary escalation point for vendor file errors, coordinating research, resolution, and corrective actions with appropriate stakeholders.
- Calculates monthly defined benefit pension contributions and remit payments to the NJDPB in accordance with applicable State deadlines. Process payments associated with employer liabilities.
- Conducts payroll and retirement plan audits to ensure compliance with plan provisions, State requirements, and applicable regulations; communicates findings and coordinates corrective actions with appropriate departments.
- Reviews monthly defined benefit retirement transactions to certify retirements and validate service credit, final salaries, and other information required for accurate benefit calculations.
- Administers inbound file changes for the Deferred Compensation (457) Plan, including review, validation, and reconciliation of payroll records.
- Reviews and reconciles quarterly PERS contribution reports, including member pension, life insurance, loan, and purchase transactions.
- Processes and submits monthly and quarterly wire payments.
- Coordinates with HRIT on manual adjustments to quarterly PERS reports and prepares and submits check requests, as required.
- Ensures retirement transactional services are delivered accurately, consistently, and timely in accordance with payroll processing schedules, State requirements, and applicable deadlines.
- Identifies and implements process improvements, leading practices, innovative approaches, and technology-enabled solutions to improve efficiency, accuracy, service delivery, and cost effectiveness across end-to-end University HR retirement processes.
- Ensures compliance with all applicable procedural, regulatory, legislative, plan, and State requirements governing retirement and savings programs.
- Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
- Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
- Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
- Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
- Life insurance coverage
- Employee discount programs
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience in Benefits enrollments or related area.
- Knowledge of Benefits enrollment and related processes, policies, and practices.
- Ability to accurately prepare detailed, technical, and confidential benefits and payroll deduction transactions.
- Ability to make accurate arithmetic calculations.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to understand HR terminology/concepts, policies, and procedures.
- Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.
- Must possess a positive, team-oriented approach to service delivery.
- Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Experience in the administration of the Alternate Benefit Plan and the Public Employees’ Retirement System under the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits.
- Knowledge of case management and tracking software, specifically, Service Now.
- Strong understanding of pension plan design, regulations, and accounting principles
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Do you have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience in Benefits enrollments or related area?
- Yes
- No
Applicant Documents
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- List of Professional References (contact Info)
Position Details
Among the key duties of the position are the following:
- Liaises with OneSource, Payroll Services, HRIT, the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (NJDPB), and pension and savings plan vendors to support the effective administration of retirement programs.
- Provides guidance to OneSource customer service and enrollment representatives, both in person and via email, on the resolution of complex pension and savings plan inquiries.
- Researches, analyzes, and responds to complex inquiries and requests from the NJDPB.
- Serves as the employer representative for internal and external audits, union grievances, and arbitrations involving plan members.
- Conducts required research, prepare supporting documentation, and appear or testify as necessary.
- Serves as a primary escalation point for vendor file errors, coordinating research, resolution, and corrective actions with appropriate stakeholders.
- Calculates monthly defined benefit pension contributions and remit payments to the NJDPB in accordance with applicable State deadlines. Process payments associated with employer liabilities.
- Conducts payroll and retirement plan audits to ensure compliance with plan provisions, State requirements, and applicable regulations; communicates findings and coordinates corrective actions with appropriate departments.
- Reviews monthly defined benefit retirement transactions to certify retirements and validate service credit, final salaries, and other information required for accurate benefit calculations.
- Administers inbound file changes for the Deferred Compensation (457) Plan, including review, validation, and reconciliation of payroll records.
- Reviews and reconciles quarterly PERS contribution reports, including member pension, life insurance, loan, and purchase transactions.
- Processes and submits monthly and quarterly wire payments.
- Coordinates with HRIT on manual adjustments to quarterly PERS reports and prepares and submits check requests, as required.
- Ensures retirement transactional services are delivered accurately, consistently, and timely in accordance with payroll processing schedules, State requirements, and applicable deadlines.
- Identifies and implements process improvements, leading practices, innovative approaches, and technology-enabled solutions to improve efficiency, accuracy, service delivery, and cost effectiveness across end-to-end University HR retirement processes.
- Ensures compliance with all applicable procedural, regulatory, legislative, plan, and State requirements governing retirement and savings programs.
- Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
- Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
- Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
- Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
- Life insurance coverage
- Employee discount programs
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience in Benefits enrollments or related area.
- Knowledge of Benefits enrollment and related processes, policies, and practices.
- Ability to accurately prepare detailed, technical, and confidential benefits and payroll deduction transactions.
- Ability to make accurate arithmetic calculations.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to understand HR terminology/concepts, policies, and procedures.
- Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to handle and maintain confidential information.
- Must possess a positive, team-oriented approach to service delivery.
- Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Experience in the administration of the Alternate Benefit Plan and the Public Employees’ Retirement System under the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits.
- Knowledge of case management and tracking software, specifically, Service Now.
- Strong understanding of pension plan design, regulations, and accounting principles
Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Do you have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience in Benefits enrollments or related area?
- Yes
- No
Applicant Documents
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
- List of Professional References (contact Info)
See All 7 Benefits Specialist Jobs in New Jersey
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Find Benefits Specialist JobsBenefits Specialist Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Benefits Specialist Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in benefits specialist jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience administering health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
- Working knowledge of ERISA, ACA, FMLA, and New Jersey Family Leave Act requirements
- Proficiency with HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP, or ADP Workforce Now
- CEBS, CBP, or PHR certification preferred by most mid-size and large New Jersey employers
- Strong analytical skills for auditing benefit enrollments, invoices, and compliance reports
Benefits Specialist Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a benefits specialist in New Jersey?
Start with a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or finance, which is the baseline expectation for most New Jersey employers. Benefits specialist roles in New Jersey carry no state-issued license, but earning the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans or the Certified Benefits Professional credential substantially improves your candidacy. Large New Jersey employers in pharma, finance, and healthcare consistently prioritize applicants who can demonstrate ERISA and New Jersey Family Leave Act fluency.
How much do benefits specialists make in New Jersey?
Benefits specialists in New Jersey earn a median of about $85,040 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $56,820 for the lowest 10% to over $136,080 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire benefits specialists in New Jersey?
Employers hiring benefits specialists in New Jersey right now include Asembia, Rutgers University, and Foundation Academies, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New Jersey's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters and major insurance carriers creates steady demand for benefits professionals across industries, not just in peak hiring seasons.
Which New Jersey cities have the most benefits specialist jobs?
The cities with the most benefits specialist openings in New Jersey are Marlton, Trenton, and Riverside. Newark anchors demand through its financial services and insurance headquarters, while Princeton and Parsippany draw significant hiring from pharmaceutical and technology companies that base their corporate HR functions in those suburban corridors.
Are there remote benefits specialist jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, and more than many HR roles, because benefits administration is primarily desk-based and system-driven work that translates well to remote environments. About 25% of benefits specialist openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a strong post-pandemic shift among corporate and financial employers in the state. Plan administration, vendor coordination, and compliance reporting are the functions most consistently offered on a fully remote basis.
How can I get hired as a benefits specialist in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an HR coordinator or HR assistant role at a large New Jersey employer, where benefits administration is part of a broader generalist workload. Major healthcare systems such as RWJBarnabas Health and Hackensack Meridian Health, along with corporate employers in the Route 1 and Route 9 corridors, regularly post entry-level HR roles that expose candidates to open enrollment, COBRA processing, and leave tracking. Completing a SHRI fundamentals course or an IFEBP certificate while working in an adjacent role accelerates the transition to a dedicated benefits title.
Where can I find and apply to benefits specialist jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to benefits specialist jobs in New Jersey directly on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location preference, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 7 Benefits Specialist Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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