OPT Retirement Plan Administration Jobs
Retirement Plan Administration jobs involve managing 401(k) plans, pension funds, and employee benefits compliance under ERISA regulations. F-1 OPT students with finance, accounting, or actuarial science degrees qualify for these roles, which commonly sponsor H-1B visas given their specialized degree requirements and ongoing regulatory complexity.
Find OPT Retirement Plan Administration JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 47+ Retirement Plan Administration jobs
See all 47+ Retirement Plan Administration Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Retirement Plan Administration roles.
Get Access To All JobsAt Ameriprise Financial, we’re not just in the business of helping clients with their financial goals – we also help our advisors and employees reach their true potential by embracing an inclusive and collaborative culture. We celebrate the unique qualities and reward the contributions of our talented, passionate employees. If you’re motivated and want to work for a strong, ethical company that cares about you and your community, take the next step with Ameriprise Financial.
This position is with an Ameriprise Financial Franchise owner.
Job Description
This entry level position will assist the financial advisor team in working with clients to help them achieve their financial goals, such as planning for retirement. This position assists with the smooth operation of a fast-paced—and friendly—financial planning office. The RP Specialist will work as an employee of an independent advisor within a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial. This person hired for this position will be expected to report daily to one of our Florida offices: either Tampa, Leesburg or Seminole/St Pete.
The RP Specialist will primarily manage the financial/retirement planning workflow for the practice from end to end. This position will consistently follow high standards of business and professional ethics and legal and regulatory requirements when dealing with others and/or performing work activities.
This role provides client relationship support through managing, gathering and analyzing client data, helping prepare preliminary financial plans and other client deliverables, working with clients to resolve issues and other practice management tasks as needed. Responsibilities will change over time to meet the needs of the practice and can include other duties as assigned by the advisor and/or Practice Manager.
Financial Planning
- Accurately gather, input, and maintain client financial data within the Financial Planning Tool Suite.
- Demonstrate strong proficiency in navigating and utilizing the Financial Planning Tool Suite to support planning activities.
- Develop comprehensive financial plans and deliverables, including tailored recommendations aligned with client goals.
- Update, modify, and refresh existing financial plans based on advisor direction and changing client needs.
- Monitor the progress of financial plans from initiation through completion, identifying and resolving any bottlenecks or process inefficiencies.
- Collaborate closely with clients to deliver a seamless, professional, and positive planning experience.
- Monitor and track client completion of agreed-upon action items to ensure timely progression.
- Serve as a liaison between internal teams and third-party planning partners to ensure effective coordination and execution.
- Participate in client meetings, as requested by the advisor, to support plan presentation and discussion.
- Answer questions and provide readily available information to clients, if requested, as it relates to their financial plan.
Key Traits of a Successful Financial Planning Specialist
- Direct attention to detail and organization
- Ability to apply innovative thinking to client data, understanding how various data points interact and influence one another to support holistic financial planning
- Effective and efficient time management
- Effective verbal communication with clients and other advisors/staff
- Polite, friendly, warm, and clear phone manner
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to adhere to rules and regulations as stated and required by advisor, and Ameriprise Financial
- Ability to support all compliance requirements within the advisor’s practice
- Positive attitude and sincere willingness to constantly learn and grow
Education/Experience
College degree or 1+ years of experience in the financial industry.
Full-Time/Part-Time
Full time
Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.
At Ameriprise Financial, we’re not just in the business of helping clients with their financial goals – we also help our advisors and employees reach their true potential by embracing an inclusive and collaborative culture. We celebrate the unique qualities and reward the contributions of our talented, passionate employees. If you’re motivated and want to work for a strong, ethical company that cares about you and your community, take the next step with Ameriprise Financial.
This position is with an Ameriprise Financial Franchise owner.
Job Description
This entry level position will assist the financial advisor team in working with clients to help them achieve their financial goals, such as planning for retirement. This position assists with the smooth operation of a fast-paced—and friendly—financial planning office. The RP Specialist will work as an employee of an independent advisor within a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial. This person hired for this position will be expected to report daily to one of our Florida offices: either Tampa, Leesburg or Seminole/St Pete.
The RP Specialist will primarily manage the financial/retirement planning workflow for the practice from end to end. This position will consistently follow high standards of business and professional ethics and legal and regulatory requirements when dealing with others and/or performing work activities.
This role provides client relationship support through managing, gathering and analyzing client data, helping prepare preliminary financial plans and other client deliverables, working with clients to resolve issues and other practice management tasks as needed. Responsibilities will change over time to meet the needs of the practice and can include other duties as assigned by the advisor and/or Practice Manager.
Financial Planning
- Accurately gather, input, and maintain client financial data within the Financial Planning Tool Suite.
- Demonstrate strong proficiency in navigating and utilizing the Financial Planning Tool Suite to support planning activities.
- Develop comprehensive financial plans and deliverables, including tailored recommendations aligned with client goals.
- Update, modify, and refresh existing financial plans based on advisor direction and changing client needs.
- Monitor the progress of financial plans from initiation through completion, identifying and resolving any bottlenecks or process inefficiencies.
- Collaborate closely with clients to deliver a seamless, professional, and positive planning experience.
- Monitor and track client completion of agreed-upon action items to ensure timely progression.
- Serve as a liaison between internal teams and third-party planning partners to ensure effective coordination and execution.
- Participate in client meetings, as requested by the advisor, to support plan presentation and discussion.
- Answer questions and provide readily available information to clients, if requested, as it relates to their financial plan.
Key Traits of a Successful Financial Planning Specialist
- Direct attention to detail and organization
- Ability to apply innovative thinking to client data, understanding how various data points interact and influence one another to support holistic financial planning
- Effective and efficient time management
- Effective verbal communication with clients and other advisors/staff
- Polite, friendly, warm, and clear phone manner
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to adhere to rules and regulations as stated and required by advisor, and Ameriprise Financial
- Ability to support all compliance requirements within the advisor’s practice
- Positive attitude and sincere willingness to constantly learn and grow
Education/Experience
College degree or 1+ years of experience in the financial industry.
Full-Time/Part-Time
Full time
Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.
See all 47+ OPT Retirement Plan Administration Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Retirement Plan Administration Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Retirement Plan Administration
Target ERISA-regulated employers directly
Third-party administrators, record-keepers, and large plan sponsors file the most H-1B petitions for retirement roles. Focus your search on firms managing 401(k), 403(b), and defined benefit plans, where specialized compliance knowledge makes sponsorship straightforward to justify.
Emphasize your actuarial or ERISA coursework
Employers justify H-1B sponsorship by proving the role requires a specific degree. Highlight coursework in pension mathematics, benefits law, or tax-qualified plans in your resume to reinforce that your background directly matches the specialty occupation requirement.
Pursue relevant certifications early
The ASPPA Associate credentials, including QKA and QPA, signal serious commitment to plan administration. Earning or actively pursuing these during OPT strengthens your candidacy and gives employers additional justification to sponsor your H-1B after your work authorization period ends.
Start your H-1B conversation before your OPT expires
H-1B cap registration opens in March for an October 1 start date. If your OPT expires before October, discuss cap-gap protection with your employer early so payroll and compliance teams can plan ahead without interruption to your employment.
Apply to firms with established immigration programs
Large record-keepers and benefits consulting firms process H-1B petitions regularly and have internal legal resources. These employers move faster and with less friction than smaller administrators encountering sponsorship for the first time during your OPT window.
Frame your niche expertise in interviews
Retirement plan administration covers compliance testing, Form 5500 filing, and participant recordkeeping. Demonstrating command of one specific area, such as nondiscrimination testing or plan document restatements, signals depth that supports the specialty occupation case employers must make to USCIS.
Retirement Plan Administration OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Retirement Plan Administration jobs typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, many do. Retirement plan administration qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires specific knowledge of ERISA, tax-qualified plan regulations, and actuarial concepts typically gained through a finance, accounting, or actuarial science degree. Third-party administrators and large financial services firms are the most active H-1B sponsors for these roles. You can browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate.
What OPT work authorization documents do I need before starting a Retirement Plan Administration job?
You need your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, which authorizes you to work for any employer within your authorized OPT period. Your employer will verify this through Form I-9. Your job must directly relate to your degree field, so roles in retirement plan administration should align with a finance, accounting, business, or actuarial science program to satisfy STEM or standard OPT requirements.
Does Retirement Plan Administration qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It can, depending on your degree classification. If your degree falls under an approved STEM field, such as actuarial science, financial mathematics, or certain accounting and business analytics programs, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your role must also meet the formal training plan requirements under the STEM OPT regulations, which your employer completes using Form I-983.
What happens to my employment if I'm in cap-gap and the H-1B lottery results are delayed?
Cap-gap automatically extends your OPT status and EAD if your H-1B petition is filed before your OPT expires and the requested start date is October 1. Your employment can continue uninterrupted through September 30 of the fiscal year even if USCIS hasn't adjudicated the petition yet. If your petition is rejected in the lottery, cap-gap protection ends and you'd need to stop working or find an alternative visa pathway.
What degree backgrounds do employers expect for Retirement Plan Administration roles on OPT?
Most employers hiring for retirement plan administration look for degrees in finance, accounting, actuarial science, business administration, or mathematics. Some roles focused on compliance or benefits consulting also accept economics or legal studies backgrounds. The closer your degree is to the core regulatory and quantitative demands of the role, the stronger your OPT eligibility argument and any future H-1B specialty occupation case.