Paralegal, QDRO
Ascensus · Pennsylvania, United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $70,000 / year
- Pennsylvania, United States
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Job highlights
- Review and determine QDRO qualification for retirement plans.
- Communicate with participants, attorneys, and internal teams.
- Draft correspondence and revise proposed orders.
- Maintain accurate QDRO records and compliance.
- Support client service and plan administrators.
About the role
About Ascensus
Ascensus is the leading independent technology and service platform powering savings plans across America, providing products and expertise that help nearly 16 million people save for a better today and tomorrow.
Job Summary
Ascensus is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Paralegal to join the Plan Solutions Servicing team. This position is responsible for reviewing and determining the qualified status of Domestic Relations Orders (DROs) in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The ideal candidate will have experience working with retirement plans and a strong understanding of legal compliance requirements related to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs).
Key Responsibilities
- Review Service Agreement to confirm QDRO review and determination services are included in the client contract.
- Review Domestic Relations Orders submitted for qualification under applicable retirement plans.
- Determine whether DROs meet the requirements of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order under ERISA and the IRC.
- Communicate with plan participants, alternate payees, attorneys, and internal departments regarding the QDRO qualification process.
- Draft correspondence explaining deficiencies in proposed orders and suggest appropriate revisions.
- Maintain accurate records of all QDRO-related activity.
- Provide support to client service teams to assist plan administrators regarding compliance and procedural updates.
- Ensure all determinations are consistent with plan provisions and applicable federal law.
- Monitor developments in QDRO regulations and best practices.
- Assist in developing and maintaining QDRO procedures.
Qualifications
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree; Paralegal certification preferred.
- 3+ years of paralegal or legal assistant experience, with specific experience in QDROs or retirement plan administration.
- Working knowledge of ERISA, IRC, and other laws affecting retirement plans.
- Strong analytical and legal writing skills.
- High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple files with competing deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and document management systems, including Workfront, Fresh Services, Chorus, IMPACT, CLIFF, and BOX.com.
Preferred Skills
- Experience working with defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
- Familiarity with pension plan language and actuarial terminology.
- Experience with contract review.
Key skills/competency
- Paralegal
- QDRO
- ERISA
- IRC
- Retirement Plans
- Legal Compliance
- Document Management
- Contract Review
- Legal Writing
- Attention to Detail
Skills & topics
- Paralegal
- QDRO
- ERISA
- Retirement Plans
- Legal Compliance
- Domestic Relations Orders
- Plan Administration
- Legal Assistant
- Ascensus
- Legal Services
How to get hired
- Customize your resume: Highlight your 3+ years of paralegal experience, QDRO expertise, and knowledge of ERISA/IRC.
- Showcase attention to detail: Emphasize your ability to manage multiple files and meet competing deadlines.
- Quantify achievements: If possible, include specific examples of successful QDRO determinations or process improvements.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with Microsoft Office and document management systems.
- Understand company culture: Research Ascensus's role in savings plans and their commitment to compliance.
Technical preparation
Master ERISA and IRC regulations for QDROs.,Practice reviewing legal documents for compliance.,Familiarize yourself with retirement plan types.,Become proficient with Microsoft Office and Workfront.
Behavioral questions
Describe handling complex legal documents.,How do you manage competing deadlines?,Explain your communication with legal professionals.,How do you ensure accuracy in your work?
Frequently asked questions
- What is a QDRO and why is it important for this Paralegal role at Ascensus?
- A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a legal document that allows a portion of a retirement plan to be divided in a divorce or separation. For this Paralegal role at Ascensus, understanding and accurately determining QDRO qualifications under ERISA and the IRC is a primary responsibility, crucial for ensuring compliance and proper distribution of assets.
- What specific legal knowledge is Ascensus looking for in a Paralegal QDRO candidate?
- Ascensus is seeking a Paralegal QDRO candidate with a strong working knowledge of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), and other laws that affect retirement plans. Experience specifically with QDROs and retirement plan administration is essential.
- What are the main duties of a Paralegal QDRO at Ascensus?
- The main duties include reviewing Domestic Relations Orders to determine their qualified status as QDROs, communicating with various parties involved, drafting correspondence explaining deficiencies and suggesting revisions, maintaining accurate records, and supporting client service teams. Ensuring compliance with plan provisions and federal law is paramount.
- What software proficiency is Ascensus expecting from their Paralegal QDRO applicants?
- Ascensus expects proficiency in Microsoft Office. Additionally, experience with document management systems like Workfront, Fresh Services, Chorus, IMPACT, CLIFF, and BOX.com is preferred for this Paralegal QDRO position.
- How does Ascensus ensure the validity of its job postings for Paralegal QDRO roles?
- Ascensus ensures validity by originating all email communications from @ascensus.com or @futureplan.com addresses. They will never ask for payment or require you to purchase equipment. Always apply directly through their website if suspicious.