Recently pile-supported embankments have emerged as an optimum method when the rapid construction and strict deformation of structures are required on soft soils. Especially geosynthetic-reinforced and pile-supported (GRPS) embankments are used worldwide as they can provide economic and effective solutions. However the load transfer mechanism in GRPS embankments is very complex, and not yet fully understood. Particularly the purpose and effect of geosynthetic inclusion are ambiguous and considered as an auxiliary measure assisting the arching effect of piles. Numerical parametric study using 3D finite element method has been conducted to investigate the effect of geosynthetic reinforcement on the load transfer mechanism of GRPS embankments. Numerical results suggested that as more stiffer geosynthetic is included, arching effect decreases considerably and the load concentration to the piles mostly caused by tension effect of geosynthetic. This finding is contradictory to the common understanding that geosynthetic inclusion only enhance the efficiency of load transfer. Consequently the design parameters determined from the numerical analyses are compared with those of three existing design methods. The problems of the existing methods are discussed.