Work location:
New york, ny (hybrid), charlotte, nc (hybrid) or fully remote: to protect the health and safety of our employees, our offices are closedWhen our offices reopen, the organization will be moving to a hybrid work model.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion:
At brighthouse financial, we’re fostering a culture where diverse backgrounds and experiences are celebrated, and different ideas are heard and respectedWe believe that by creating an inclusive workplace, we’re better able to attract and retain our talent, provide valuable solutions that meet the needs of our advisors and their clients, and deliver on our mission of helping more people achieve financial security.
How this role contributes to brighthouse financial:
This tax and erisa attorney will focus on building strong partnerships with business clients by providing tax and erisa advice concerning the administration and operation of the insurance company’s legacy qualified plan businessThis role also entails providing erisa advice to various areas of the brighthouse enterprise, including regarding the dol fiduciary rule’s impact on brighthouse’s business units, and interacting with the operations team to address erisa questions and issues arising from sales personnel, administrators and customersThe role will also partner with and support product tax attorneys, as needed, with respect to the design of new life and annuity products and the ongoing administration of the company’s actively marketed life and annuity products.
Key responsibilities:
Perform tax and erisa research and provide advice regarding ongoing administration of insurance contracts issued to brighthouse’s closed block of qualified and nonqualified plan business, including providing tax and erisa advice in connection with 403(b) and 401(k), qualified pension plan/closeout contracts, and 457 plans
Provide tax and erisa advice, as needed, in the development or modification of life insurance and annuity products, including review of the design of new contracts, riders and related materials
Provide tax and erisa advice regarding the migration of various products to new administration platforms with third party vendors and review relevant vendor agreements
Provide advice for correcting plan-related errors pursuant to irs or other applicable correction methodologies
Review and comment on related marketing materials, forms, service agreements, qdros and various communications
Provide advice and counsel regarding the dol fiduciary investment advice rule
Assist and advise the lines of business in preparing erisa 408(b)(2) and other disclosures and 5500 schedules for products sold to erisa plans
Provide erisa advice on debt offerings or separate class shares
Perform erisa review and comment on sec and other disclosure materials
Perform erisa review of credit facilities and other business contracts and agreements
Primary contact for dol investigations
Actively participate in industry associationsMaintain industry awareness, assess/monitor/track impact of new legislation and regulatory changes on the company’s legacy qualified plan business and other products, including attendance at industry meetings
Essential business experience and technical skills:
Jd from an accredited us law school and member in good standing of a state bar
Minimum 7-10 years of relevant tax and erisa in-house or major law firm experienceSome insurance in-house company experience is preferred.
Experience with tax and erisa litigation on products, as well as audit controversy with both the irs and dol preferred but not required
Llm in taxation preferred but not required
Technical skills:
Excellent writing and oral communication skills
Ability to assist with the resolution of technical questions and uncertainties in a manner that meets brighthouse financial business goals and maintains a high compliance culture
Ability to listen and appreciate stakeholder concerns and understand business issues that are affected by tax technical matters
Exhibits initiative and the ability to manage multiple complex tasks towards completion
Candidate should be flexible and motivated, a self-starter who can succeed in a fast-paced environment.
Key relationships:
Direct reports/team: no direct reports, on a team of 4
Other key stakeholders: partners closely with: head of legacy products, distribution & new product team, compliance, product law group
Benefits:
Compensation: total compensation package ranging from $300,000 to $375,000, consists of base salary ranging from $200,000 to $251,000 plus competitive performance-based incentives determined by company and individual results.
Time off: minimum of 20 days of paid time off and 13 paid company holidays per full calendar year, plus paid volunteer time
Financial benefits: 401(k) savings plan with up to a 6% annual match and 3% annual company nondiscretionary contribution of eligible compensation, and employee stock purchase plan
Family focus: up to 16 weeks of paid leave for new parents, back-up care program, dependent care flexible spending account, and adoption and surrogacy assistance
Health and welfare: competitive medical, vision and dental plans, plus tax-free health savings accounts with potential company contributions up to $1,000 per family
Wellness programs: wellness incentive platform, employee assistance program, financial counseling services, fitness center discounts and more
Life & disability benefits: company-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability
Travel:
Occasional travel after office reopening
