North Carolina Retirement Systems

28/10/2026

The North Carolina Retirement Systems is committed to helping to ensure retirees’ income stability by identifying risks and designing countermeasures. Executive Director Sam Watts was on an expert panel at the National Council on Teacher Retirement recently examining how health care inflation erodes an increasingly larger percentage of retirees’ income. “Health care costs rising as quickly as they are present a challenge for budget makers and public employers who are trying to balance retirement contributions, employee wages, and retiree cost-of-living adjustments with health costs,” he told the gathering.

28/10/2026

Did you know that we have counselors across North Carolina to assist with enrollment and features of the NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans?

This week NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans counselor Jennifer shares steps you can take to be consistent and involved in building your Freedom in Retirement. https://empower.wistia.com/medias/xhfp89rxru

To find your counselor, increase contributions or enroll in the Plans, visit https://www.myncretirement.gov/nc.../information-employees

Discover FIR: https://www.myncretirement.gov/national-retirement-security-month

27/10/2026

26/10/2026

🎊 October is National Retirement Security Month! 🎊
Ready to build your Freedom in Retirement (FIR)? 🔥

Join our webinars to discover how the NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans can help you prepare for a more financially secure future!
💰 Learn how increasing your savings can make a difference
💻 Discover helpful planning tools and how easy it is to enroll

24/10/2026

Pierce Insurance provides supplemental insurance options for North Carolina Retirement Systems retirees. If you are a new retiree, you will receive communications from Pierce Insurance about this supplemental insurance option. Enroll within 60 days of your first retirement benefit.

For more information about supplemental insurance (dental, vision, and identity theft protection), visit www.NCRetiree.com.

The State Health Plan’s Open Enrollment period has been extended through Nov. 6, 2026. The extension gives members more time to review information about the recently announced program and understand what it could mean for their 2027 coverage and costs.

23/10/2026

💲 October 23 is payday for retirees! 💲

For more information on Retiree payments, visit https://www.myncretirement.gov/retirees/benefit-pay-days

📅 Is this your first month in retirement?
Your first retirement benefit payment should be made by direct deposit. The Retirement Systems must receive and acknowledge direct deposit instructions before your effective retirement date. Otherwise, a paper check will be mailed.

🔏 Your retirement selection is locked in when the first payment becomes normally due and the first benefit payment date has occurred.

𝗢𝗻𝗲-𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 & 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 (retirees and benefit recipients of TSERS, LRS and CJRS)

The one-time supplement will be included in your October benefit payment and will be paid out on October 23, 2026. Your November payment will return to your regular payment amount.

View all paydays on our website: https://www.myncretirement.gov/retirees/benefit-pay-days

View your paystubs in ORBIT:
https://orbit.myncretirement.gov

View important topics for retirees on our new Retiree webpage: https://www.myncretirement.gov/retirees

For Trending Topics, visit:
https://www.myncretirement.gov/trending-topics

23/10/2026

Important Update:
2027 Humana Medicare Advantage Plans

You may have seen recent news reports about Humana canceling Medicare Advantage plans in multiple markets for the 2027 plan year.

Here’s what State Health Plan members need to know: These changes do not affect the State Health Plan’s Humana Group Medicare Advantage plans. These plans will continue to be available and offered to eligible members in 2027.

For more information about your 2027 benefits, visit 🔗www.shpnc.gov.

20/10/2026

Retirement security isn’t just about saving for your future.

It's also about protecting what you've earned and the people you care about.

🔥 Find your FIR (Freedom in Retirement). 🔥

State Treasurer Brad Briner explains why it’s important to designate and keep your beneficiaries up to date. It’s one way to help protect your retirement plans and provide for the people you love. https://youtu.be/sqgc26-zoyo?si=_xuhn_me1Z2AQWZJ

Remember: Updating the beneficiary on one account does not update it on your other accounts. Review the beneficiaries for your pension, NC 401(k), NC 457 Plan, checking and savings accounts, and any other benefits you may have.

Learn more about beneficiaries on our website: https://www.myncretirement.gov/beneficiaries.

https://www.myncretirement.gov/national-retirement-security-month

A special thank‑you to Tryon Palace for graciously allowing us to film on their historic grounds — a perfect backdrop for celebrating North Carolina’s legacy of independence.

State Treasurer Brad Briner explains why it’s important to designat...

20/10/2026

Did you know that we have counselors across North Carolina to assist with enrollment and features of the NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans?

This week NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans counselor Lynn shares steps you can take to plan for Freedom in Retirement while considering the potential impact of inflation. https://empower.wistia.com/medias/rq8i36njkb

To find your counselor, increase contributions or enroll in the Plans, visit https://www.myncretirement.gov/nc-401k-nc-457/information-employees

Discover FIR: https://www.myncretirement.gov/national-retirement-security-month

19/10/2026

Find your FIR (Freedom in Retirement)

You've started saving. Now it's time to understand how your retirement account works.

Learn about investments, enrolling, how the NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans can help build your freedom in retirement and the importance of cybersecurity and protecting what you are building. Register for this week's events: https://www.myncretirement.gov/upcoming-events

Review your account and use the tools available to help you plan.

Freedom in Retirement isn't only about saving.

It's about understanding what you're building and protecting it.

ORBIT: https://orbit.myncretirement.com/

NC 401(k)/NC 457 Plans: https://myncplans.empower-retirement.com/participant/ #/login

Investment options and GoalMaker: https://www.myncretirement.gov/nc-401k-nc-457/information-employees/investment-options-goalmaker

Contact your counselor: https://www.myncretirement.gov/nc-401k-nc-457/contact-your-counselor