By day, they’re compliance whizzes, onboarding pros, and trust accounting heroes. By night (or at least outside of office hours), they’re crochets-with-grandma-vibes, snack enthusiasts, and closet karaoke stars. Get to know the humans behind the retirement plans in this interview—they’re even cooler than their job descriptions. We started with the serious stuff… but don’t worry, we quickly got to the good part (think sidekicks, snacks, and sloths).
RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERT INTERVIEW LIST
Rong Chen – Retirement Plan Consultant
Rachel Martin – New Business Manager
Katie Yeung – Lead Analyst
Anneke Ratnasari – Trust Accounting Specialist
WORK-RELATED Q&A FOR EACH RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERT
Q: How did you get into the retirement industry?
Katie: I majored in accounting, so I’ve always liked working with numbers and details. Retirement plans felt like a perfect fit because they combine accounting, compliance, and helping people plan for their future.
Rong: My second internship during college was with a retirement plan service company. It went well, and I was offered a full-time position with the same company after graduation. I’ve been in the retirement industry ever since.
Rachel: I was in college and trying to build my resume’. I had planned to work in HR and thought having some experience with retirement plan services would be beneficial.
Anneke: Through a friend. Her company was looking for a Trust Accounting employee and she knew my major was accounting, so she asked me to apply for the job.
Q: What does your job entail?
Katie: As a retirement plan analyst, I handle compliance testing, review plan data, and make sure every plan follows IRS and DOL rules. I’m the behind-the-scenes person making sure everything adds up and stays compliant.
Rong: I’m responsible for the administration of retirement plans. A major part of my role involves guiding clients on plan funding requirements and providing consultation on plan objectives, design needs, and compliance issues. I also assist with participant benefit distribution calculations and handle government form filings.
Rachel: Supporting the onboarding team as they onboard new clients. I also perform a lot of project work where I get to connect with other teams throughout the company to build and modify processes and procedures.
Anneke: I’m responsible for performing a variety of data-related duties to lead the trust accounting function. Interpret trust accounting data, investigate discrepancies, and determine necessary corrective actions independently. This includes data capture, data loading, validation, and analysis to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial and participant data reporting. The role may also provide administrative and operational support for plan onboarding, termination, and annual reporting processes.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job as a retirement plan expert?
Katie: Knowing that what I do really matters. Every test I run and every detail I check helps people stay on track for their retirement goals.
Rong: My favorite part of the job is knowing I’m making a difference in helping people achieve their retirement goals. It’s especially rewarding when I assist an employee with their benefit distribution and see their happiness when they realize how much they’ve accumulated. Every time I work on a plan that could improve someone’s future, it brings me a real sense of fulfillment.
Rachel: I love being able to help people figure out how easy it truly can be to save for their future.
Anneke: The challenge of solving complex trust accounting and helping co-workers.
NOW FOR THE FUN: GETTING TO KNOW OUR RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERTS
Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song (even if it’s just in the car)?
Katie: Levitating by Dua Lipa
Rong: You Are The Reason
Rachel: Either Shoop by Salt & Pepper or Banditos by The Refreshments
Q: What’s one thing on your desk or in your workspace that makes you happy?
Katie: An air plant- because it looks great and needs zero attention.
Rong: A cat paw squishy
Rachel: Coffee Cup that has a T Rex holding extended grabber tools that says “I am Unstoppable”
Anneke: Food/snacks
Q: Which app on your phone do you definitely use the most?
Katie: Spotify
Rong: Rednote
Rachel: USGA GHIN (Golf handicap and score tracking)
Anneke: Maps (I am very bad with directions)
Q: If you had to teach a class on something (not work/retirement plan related), what would it be?
Katie: How to Stay Calm When Wi-Fi Drops
Rong: Making pizza
Rachel: Dance
Q: Finish this sentence: “People would be surprised to learn that I…”
Katie: Have never broken a bone.
Rong: People would be surprised to learn that I crochet, make cat/dog sweaters, and make bracelets – in other words, I fully embrace my inner grandma.
Rachel: …am an introvert.
Anneke: I don’t like to watch movies.
Q: If you could have an animal sidekick, what would it be? Why?
Katie: A sloth – because sometimes I need the reminder to slow down and just hang out.
Rong: A dog – they are loyal, smart and strong. I’m a big fan of Krypto from the new Superman movie – he’s the perfect mix of naughty and lovable.
Rachel: Kevin, the bird from Up. Because she is helpful when you really need her to be, and entertaining when not.
Anneke: A dog. They’re just cute!
Q: If you had a magic button on your desk to bring you whatever you wanted, what would it summon?
Katie: Endless takeout – minus the delivery fee and the guilt.
Rong: I want the magic button to summon a device that can create a portal, allowing me to safely travel anywhere instantly at any time.
Rachel: Snacks
Anneke: Food again 😊
Q: What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Katie: Caramel swirl – because life is too short for plain vanilla.
Rong: I like plain tart frozen yogurt
Rachel: I like it all! Java flavor is probably my go-to.
Anneke: My favorite ice cream flavor is dark chocolate and coffee.
