Kimberly A. Caron
Goffstown,NH
Summary
Dedicated professional with a strong foundation in plan administration and ERISA compliance. Successfully led initiatives to improve employee engagement and streamline processes, delivering measurable enhancements in communication and operational efficiency within benefits administration.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Benefits Analyst
BAE Systems Inc
Nashua, USA
10.2022 - Current
- Supported administration of the Company Health & Welfare benefit plans & was the primary point of contact for daily operations with several vendors, including the largest vendor within benefit.
- Used my knowledge of health and welfare benefits and related governing laws (e.g., ERISA, FMLA, ADA, ACA, COBRA) to respond to and assist employees.
- Reviewed Change Orders and tested systems for compliance with health & welfare benefit requirements.
- Managed eligibility appeals by collaborating with external legal counsel and vendors to research and resolve cases.
- Led monthly calls with the Appeals Committee members.
- Managed the BAE Systems role in reviewing, signing, and sending notifications to other parties for Power of Attorney (POA) documents and other benefit related forms.
- Drafted, edited, and reviewed benefit communications, including external benefits website content, knowledgebase articles, and employee notifications.
Benefits Process Coordinator
BAE Systems Inc
Nashua, USA
03.2020 - 10.2022
- Act as the benefits liaison providing a key link for HR Business Partners between the Electronic Systems sector and the Benefits Center of Expertise (COE) at the corporate office.
- Assisted employees and HRBPs navigating the retirement process by identifying existing resources, resolving problems and proactively collaborating on process improvement.
- Guided employees, managers, and sector HR teams in understanding and utilizing procedures and resources for retirement benefits and leave maximization.
- Facilitated communication between HRBPs and managers to navigate leave and retirement processes.
- Coordinated with COE and ES HR leaders to plan and deliver educational presentations on benefits materials.
- Participated in projects to enhance employee experience, presenting results and ideas to senior leadership, including improvements to maternity leave process.
Senior QDRO Analyst
Fidelity Investments
Merrimack, USA
11.2011 - 03.2020
- Managed client relationships for large and midsize plans, addressing escalated QDRO issues and implementing plan changes.
- Perform legal review of Domestic Relations Orders (“DROs”) to determine if they are qualified or non-qualified pursuant to the QDRO Approval Guidelines and Procedures for the applicable retirement plan.
- Ensure that all DROs comply with the requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code as they pertain to defined contribution and defined benefit plans.
- Partnered with Operations group to ensure timely asset segregation for all qualified Orders, enhancing compliance and efficiency.
- Work directly with the Plan Administrators to address any legislative changes such as DOMA and enhanced participant fee disclosure requirements.
- Established best practices for internal processing, reducing errors and mitigating legal risk.
- Participated in New Client Implementation process.
Global Corporate Actions Analyst
Fidelity Investments
Merrimack, USA
10.2009 - 11.2011
- Directed corporate actions research, resolution, and reporting processes to enhance operational efficiency.
- Mitigated corporate action risks through escalation of issues and comprehensive research.
- Ensured timely and accurate delivery of corporate action information to FMR fund managers and external clients.
- Acted as a resource and industry expert for business partners within Fidelity Investments.
- Tracked industry news and corporate actions to stay informed.
- Mentored and trained new hires and assisted management with group initiatives and projects.
Sr. Pricing Analyst, Quality Assurance
Fidelity Investments
Merrimack, USA
07.2007 - 10.2009
- Ensured the quality of security prices through analysis and judgment in order to produce and release accurate, timely NAVs to Fidelity shareholders.
- Prepared the monthly REHI reports and ran monthly meetings with FMR portfolio manager, treasurer’s office, and members of senior management.
- Prepared monthly fair value reports for use by Senior Management within FMR and Pyramis.
- Worked with the auditors for Fidelity Funds semi-annual and annual audit cycles.
- Analyzed vendor price comparison reports to identify trends and inform pricing strategy.
Portfolio Advisory Services, full trader
Fidelity Investments
Merrimack, USA
10.2005 - 07.2007
- Cultivated relationships and loyalty among high net worth clients by educating them on all aspects of their accounts.
- Built relationships and customer loyalty for high net worth clients while educating customers about all facets of their accounts.
- Addressed high net worth clients' inquiries and concerns, ensuring prompt and effective communication.
- Worked closely with Relationship Officers and Client Management Representatives.
- Executed monetary and account maintenance transactions, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Payroll Specialist: Wage Garnishments
Fidelity Investments
Merrimack, USA
12.2002 - 08.2004
- Implemented wage garnishments and processed verifications of employment, ensuring compliance and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Accurately received, reviewed, and executed wage garnishments, including federal tax levies, state tax levies, child support orders, tax liens, creditor garnishments & court judgments according to state & federal laws.
- Acted as primary contact for clients on garnishment inquiries, facilitating clear communication and timely resolution.
- Coordinated with federal and state agencies, as well as ex-spouses, to effectively resolve garnishment inquiries.
- Balanced and reconciled garnishment balance reports.
Associate Actuarial Analyst – Defined Benefit Group
Fidelity Investments
Merrimack, USA
04.2001 - 10.2002
- Served as the client contact for all defined benefit calculation inquiries.
- Audited and reviewed system-generated benefit calculations and monthly disbursement cycles, ensuring timely delivery of benefits to all participants.
- Performed manual benefit calculations including QDROs & MRDs.
- Led client team in prioritizing customer satisfaction and managing participant benefit requests in conjunction with client projects.
- Monitored workflow to ensure on-time delivery of client deliverables.
- Assisted management in training new associates.
Participant Services Group Representative, Defined Contributions
Fidelity Investments
Merrimack, USA
01.2000 - 04.2001
- Clarified ERISA, IRS, and DOL regulations, offering detailed retirement knowledge and plan provisions relevant to participants’ Defined Contribution Plans.
- Provided tailored plan-specific information to address customer inquiries, enhancing understanding and engagement.
- Managed comprehensive 401(k) administration for diverse client portfolio, ensuring compliance and participant satisfaction.
Education
Master of Arts -
University of Massachusetts At Lowell
Lowell, MABachelor of Science -
University of Massachusetts At Lowell
Lowell, MASkills
- Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel & Powerpoint
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Research
- Communications
- Client Service
- Problem Solving
- Process Improvement
Timeline
Sr. Benefits Analyst
BAE Systems Inc
10.2022 - Current
Benefits Process Coordinator
BAE Systems Inc
03.2020 - 10.2022
Senior QDRO Analyst
Fidelity Investments
11.2011 - 03.2020
Global Corporate Actions Analyst
Fidelity Investments
10.2009 - 11.2011
Sr. Pricing Analyst, Quality Assurance
Fidelity Investments
07.2007 - 10.2009
Portfolio Advisory Services, full trader
Fidelity Investments
10.2005 - 07.2007
Payroll Specialist: Wage Garnishments
Fidelity Investments
12.2002 - 08.2004
Associate Actuarial Analyst – Defined Benefit Group
Fidelity Investments
04.2001 - 10.2002
Participant Services Group Representative, Defined Contributions
Fidelity Investments
01.2000 - 04.2001
Master of Arts -
University of Massachusetts At Lowell
Bachelor of Science -
University of Massachusetts At Lowell