New staff/faculty can use the information below in lieu of or in addition to attending a Benefits Orientation in person. Once you complete the orientation below, you will need to complete the Online Benefits Confirmation at the bottom of the page.
Benefits Eligibility
SHRA=Subject to Human Resource Act. EHRA=Exempt from Human Resource Act.
Postdoctoral Scholars/House Officers are NOT covered under the plans listed below. Review postdoctoral/House Officer plans.
SHRA/EHRA
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SHRA/EHRA
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SHRA/EHRA
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SHRA/EHRA
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Temps, Student
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Health Insurance | Not eligible | Eligible, but at full cost | Eligible, but at full cost | Eligible for employer-paid coverage for employee, dependents are at full cost | May be eligible for employer-paid ACA health plan |
Other insurance plans (dental, vision, etc.) | Not eligible | Eligible, but at full cost | Eligible, but at full cost | Eligible, but at full cost | Not eligible |
Mandatory Retirement Plans | Not eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible | Eligible | Not eligible |
Voluntary Retirement Plans (must be FICA eligible) | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible (excluding 401(k) |
Incoming Employees with Prior State of NC Service
PRIOR STATE SERVICE IS DEFINED AS:
1) The previous employment was with an applicable state employer AND 2) The previous position was one in which contributions were made to the State Retirement System (TSERS) or the UNC Optional Retirement Program (ORP).
Take action to initiate the transfer of benefits, retirement, state service and leave. Complete steps 1, 2, and 3 at the link below.
Incoming Employees with Prior State Service
New Fall Semester 9-month Faculty Paid Over 12 Months
If a 9-month faculty member is hired in July but does not begin the actual contract work until August 16, benefits will begin on August 1. 9-month faculty have 30 calendar days from July 1 to enroll in benefits and a mandatory retirement plan and a voluntary disability plan, retirement deductions are taken retroactively to July 1st. Failure to enroll in a mandatory retirement plan will result in a default to the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) plan.
TOP PICKED RESOURCES
- UNC System Health, Retirement & Leave Resources
- UNC System Online Benefits Orientation Video (Requires Unity ID to login)
- Mandatory Retirement Plan Decision Guide
- Retirement Plan Comparison Calculator
- Prior State of NC Service
- Contact Benefits
Health Insurance and NCFlex Plans
Employees may enroll in the State Health Plan via the My Pack Portal, the “eBenefits” Mobile App, or by calling the enrollment center at 855-859-0966. In My Pack, under the employee self-service tile> Click on the Benefits Details Tile> My State Employee Benefits (on the left–make sure your pop up blocker is off) to enroll in the State Health Plan. Employees may enroll in NCFlex benefits via the My Pack Portal or by calling the Empyrean University Benefits Service Center at 833-862-1490. In My Pack, under the employee self-service tile> Click on the Benefits Details Tile> My UNC Benefits (on the left–make sure your pop up blocker is off) to enroll in NCFlex plans.
Failure to enroll in your first 30 calendar days may cause significant waiting periods or denial of coverage.
Resources |
Enrollment Period |
Coverage Begins |
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Health Insurance | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following the date of hire or the first day of the second month. (Example: If the date of hire is June 5th, coverage may begin July 1st or August 1st)
Note: Health Insurance premiums are deducted one month in advance of the coverage effective date. Keep in mind that your choice of effective date may result in a double deduction on your first applicable paycheck, once your enrollments are approved. |
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NCFlex Dental | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following date of hire. | |
NCFlex Vision | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following date of hire. | |
NCFlex Accidental Death/Dismemberment | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following date of hire. | |
NCFlex Accident Plan | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following date of hire. | |
NCFlex Critical Illness | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following date of hire. | |
NCFlex Cancer | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following date of hire. | |
NCFlex Health Care Flexible Spending | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following date of hire. | |
NCFlex Dependent Daycare Flex Spending | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following date of hire. |
Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance
Resources |
Enroll |
Enrollment Period |
Coverage Begins |
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UNC System Group Term Life Insurance |
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30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following the date of hire. | |
UNC System Group AD&D (Securian) |
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30 calendar days from hire/start date. | On the first day of the month following the date of hire. |
Mandatory Retirement Plans
We know that everyone’s financial goals, needs and savings strategies are different. That’s why we are proud to offer our employees a choice between two retirement programs, both of which provide a valuable retirement benefit. As a UNC System employee, you must enroll in either the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) or the University of North Carolina Optional Retirement Program (ORP). Once made, your election cannot be changed.
Mandatory Retirement Plan Decision Guide/Plan Comparison (PDF)
UNC System Online Benefits Orientation Video
Retirement Plan Comparsion Calculator
Plan Details
Plan | Plan Details | Resources | Contributions & Vesting | Portability |
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Teachers' and State Employee's Retirement System (TSERS) | The TSERS is a defined benefit plan. The benefit you receive at retirement is based on a predetermined formula. This formula considers your years and months of creditable service (any period during which you contribute to TSERS, provided you do not withdraw your contributions), your age and your average final compensation (the average of your salary during your four highest consecutive paid years). The amount of the guaranteed benefit you will receive at retirement is not directly determined by the investment experience of the plan assets or the amount of contributions. Under TSERS, the State controls the investments and assumes all of the investment risks. The plan funds are invested by professional money managers selected by TSERS. |
| Not portable nationwide. Participants can withdraw thier contributions to the plan, or roll them over to qualified plans. Participants cannot access the employer contributions upon withdrawal/rollover. |
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UNC Optional Retirement Program (ORP) | The ORP is a defined contribution plan. The value of your benefit is not based on a predetermined formula. Contributions to your account are made by you and the UNC System. The contributions are invested and the returns are credited to your account. The value of your account is based on the amount of contributions made to your account and the performance of the investment funds you select. Your accumulated balance provides monthly income during your retirement. Again, you control your investment choices and distribution methods. |
| Portable Nationwide. Employees may withdraw or rollover thier contributions to the ORP plan to eligible plans upon separation. Employees may withdraw or rollover the employer contributions upon separation if vested. |
Enrollment Instructions
Hire Date | Enrollment Period | Enroll | Account Access |
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On/After September 1, 2023 | 30 calendar days from hire/start date. Failure to enroll in your first 30 days will result in an irrevocable mandatory default into the TSERS plan. | Enrollment is completed via My Pack Portal>Employee Self Service>Benefits Details>My UNC Benefits
| TSERS Once enrolled, and a payroll deduction to TSERS occurs, you can go online to www.myncretirement.com (ORBIT) to input your beneficiaries. Access to this online portal will usually occur about two weeks after the first payroll deduction for TSERS. ORP TIAA has been named single record keeper for the UNC System Plans. Those hired on/after September 1, 2023 must enroll with TIAA. Find out more about this decision here. |
Supplemental Retirement Plans
While both mandatory retirement plan options provide a valuable opportunity for you to prepare for your future, you may want to consider boosting your retirement savings by participating in one or more of these supplemental retirement plans. While these plans do not provide an employer match, they allow you to set aside additional money on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. You can start and stop these plans at any time.
Supplemental Retirement Plan Decision Guide/Plan Options
Resources |
Enroll |
Enrollment Period |
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UNC System 403(b) Plan |
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Go to UNC System 403(b) plan site.
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At any point. Effective September 1, 2023 TIAA became the sole recordkeeper for the UNC 403(b) plan for new participants. |
UNC System 457(b) Plan |
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Go to UNC System 457(b) plan site.
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At any point. Effective September 1, 2023 TIAA became the sole recordkeeper for the UNC 457(b) plan for new participants. |
State’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan | Go to the NC Total Retirement Plans site.
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At any point | |
State’s 401(k) Plan | Go to the NC Total Retirement Plans site.
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At any point |
DISABILITY PLANS
Income Protection Programs Booklet
Resources |
Enroll |
Enrollment Period |
Coverage Begins |
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Employer Paid State Provided Short Term & Long Term Disability Plans (DIP-NC)
Available at no cost to eligible employees working at least 3/4 time (.75 FTE) for 9 months or greater per year with at least one year of contributing service in either the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS), earned within 36 months prior to the disability. |
Short Term Plan–Automatically enrolled after ONE year of membership participation in TSERS or ORP. Long Term Plan–Automatically enrolled after FIVE years of membership participation in TSERS or ORP. |
n/a | Short Term–After ONE year of membership participation in TSERS or ORP.
Long Term–After FIVE years of membership participation in TSERS or ORP. |
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Employee Paid Supplemental Disability Income Plans–Lincoln Financial Group–(For TSERS/LEORS Participants)
This supplemental long-term disability insurance, offered by Lincoln Financial Group, was designed to provide coverage for those employee’s who are not yet eligible for the State’s plan, or who wish to supplement the State’s disability benefits. |
Hired on/after September 1, 2023
Enrollment is completed via My Pack Portal>Employee Self Service>Benefits Details>My UNC Benefits
Hired prior to September 1st Submit a completed Enrollment/Change Form to HR Benefits*
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Hired on/after September 1, 2023:
30 calendar days from hire/start date. These plans are dependent upon your mandatory retirement plan choice. Failure to enroll may cause significant waiting periods or denial of coverage. Hired prior to September 1st: 60 calendar days from hire/start date. These plans are dependent upon your mandatory retirement plan choice. Failure to enroll may cause significant waiting periods or denial of coverage. |
Coverage begins at the hire/start date. | |
Employee Paid Supplemental Disability Income Plans–The Standard–(For ORP Participants)
This supplemental long-term disability insurance plan, offered at a nominal cost by The Standard, is available only to participants in the Optional Retirement Program. Designed to help fill the gaps left by the State’s plan. |
Hired on/after September 1, 2023
Enrollment is completed via My Pack Portal>Employee Self Service>Benefits Details>My UNC Benefits
Hired prior to September 1st Submit a completed Enrollment/Change Form to HR Benefits*
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Hired on/after September 1, 2023:
30 calendar days from hire/start date. These plans are dependent upon your mandatory retirement plan choice. Failure to enroll may cause significant waiting periods or denial of coverage. Hired prior to September 1st: 60 calendar days from hire/start date. These plans are dependent upon your mandatory retirement plan choice. Failure to enroll may cause significant waiting periods or denial of coverage. |
Coverage begins at the hire/start date. |
Leave
NC State University recognizes the importance of time off and medically-necessary leave. WolfTime is the name of our leave tracking system. To access WolfTime, go to MyPack Portal>For Faculty & Staff>Employee Self Service and click on the WolfTime tile. To learn more about WolfTime, click here.
Resources |
Eligibility |
Accruals Begin |
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Annual/Vacation Leave | SHRA, EHRA (9 month faculty do not earn Annual Leave) | If hired on the 1st-15th of the month, accruals begin the month of hire.
If hired on the 16th-31st of the month, accruals begin the following month. |
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Sick Leave | SHRA, EHRA (9 month faculty do not earn Sick Leave) | If hired on the 1st-15th of the month, accruals begin the month of hire.
If hired on the 16th-31st of the month, accruals begin the following month. |
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Other Types of Leave | Varies, review individually | Varies, review individually |
Other NC State Benefits
The plans below are specific to NC State University.
Hyatt Legal Plan
NC State offers eligible employees a low-cost legal services plan through Met Life Legal, the premium is $9/month and covers you and your family. By participating in this plan, employees have access to a wide array of legal services to meet personal and family needs. Services and referrals are available through a network of providers at an affordable cost. Enrollment Period: 30 days from hire/start date. |
Tuition Waivers for Staff/Faculty
Employees can waive tuition and fees for up to 3 courses per academic year. |
Real Estate
As an employee of NC State, you can take advantage of real estate incentive programs. New employees, as well as existing employees who may be moving, can take advantage of these services. |
Auto, Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance
Personal assets including automobiles, homes (and/or its contents) are valuable, and should be protected. NC State, through Travelers Auto and Home Insurance Company, offers several plans to keep assets safe. |
Carmichael Gymnasium
Serves at the central hub of fitness and recreation for the NC State community. |
WolfPerks (unity ID required to login)
The WolfPerks Program is designed to save NC State University Faculty & Staff money on products and services both locally and nationally. Browse through the many offers available to you and your family throughout the WolfPerks program. |
Employee Resources
A comprehensive list of resources/perks available to employees. |
Submit forms to HR Benefits:
Mail: Campus Box 7215, Raleigh NC, 27695
Drop Off: 2711 Sullivan Drive-Administrative Services Bldg II
Employer Contributions for Benefits
NC State makes a contribution towards the cost of some employee benefit plans. Click to view a summary of how the full or partial cost of benefit plans is provided for employees.
Questions/Feedback