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Benefits

A variety of benefits are available to permanent employees who contribute to the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program ORP).

  • Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System
  • Unreduced retirement benefit with 30 years of service, age 60 with 25 years of service, age 65 with 5 years of service
  • Reduced retirement benefits at age 50 with at least 20 years of service, age 60 with a least 5 years of service
  • Death benefit after one year of membership service is equivalent to one year of salary, not less than $25,000, or more than $50,000
  • Optional Retirement Program (ORP) - SHRA staff, SAAO's and EHRA Faculty may choose to contribute to the Optional Retirement Program(ORP) instead of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement Fund

The University of North Carolina Optional Retirement Program (ORP) is an option or alternative to the North Carolina Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) for faculty and staff. Under the ORP, you control your investment choices, distribution methods, and retirement goals, whereas the State controls the investments under TSERS.

The University has authorized TIAA to offer investment products under the ORP. For more information about the authorized companies or their products, including investment options, services and fees, you should review the information on this website, as well as contact a company representative.

Saving outside of your pension in one of the NC supplemental plans is an important step in being "retirement ready" - meaning you can replace at least 80% of your pre-retirement income.   The NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans and the NC 403(b) Program offer you a wide variety of tools designed to help you create a more secure retirement. Make the most of your Plan benefits.

For more information, please visit ncplans.retirepru.com.

Deborah Rapetski
828.230.3655
deborah.rapetski@empower.com

SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN DECISION

  • Earning from 94 to 206 hours per year, based on service; pro rata basis for part-time employees
  • May be used for vacation, religious observance, adverse weather, other
  • Vacation leave in excess of 240 hours, on December 31 of each year, is converted to sick leave
  • Vacation Leave- state manual
  • 11 paid University holidays (announced annually)
  • Holiday premium pay and equal time off for certain University holiday work
  • Holiday Schedule
  • 96 hours earned each year; pro rata basis for part-time employees
  • Unlimited accumulation
  • May be used for the employee's illness or medical appointment, or for the illness or death of a relative as defined in policy
  • One month of retirement service credit allowed for each 20 days or portion of unused sick leave
  • Sick Leave
  • Disability Income Plan of North Carolina
  • Short-term benefits after one year of membership service
  • Long-term benefits after five years of membership service
  • INCOME PROTECTION PLANS
  • Membership open to employees and their family members
  • Checking and savings accounts; bank cards; loans
  • Payroll deduction for savings and repayment of loans
  • STATE EMPLOYEES' CREDIT UNION

Full-time faculty and staff members who are eligible for membership in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System or Optional Retirement Program are eligible to enroll in three (3) courses per academic year during Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, subject to approval by the employee's supervisor and Human Resources.

Tuition Assistance

  • Recognizes aggregate State service of ten years or more for staff employees
  • Annual, lump-sum payment of 1.5 to 4.5 percent of annual salary, based on service
  • Available to eligible permanent, probationary, and temporary employees after 1 year service
  • Up to 12 weeks of leave available for birth and care of a newborn, care for an adopted child, care of a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition, or a personal serious health condition
  • Continuation of health insurance during leave period
  • FMLA
  • Additional pay when regularly scheduled to work during the covered hours for eligible employees
  • Accident Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Dependent Care Spending Account
  • Financial Planning
  • Health Care Spending Account
  • Life Insurance
  • Long-term Care
  • Short-term & Long-term Disability: Income Protection Plans
  • Vision
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Allows for up to four weeks (160) hours of paid parental leave for the birth parent for recuperation during the disability period for a newborn child; and
  • Allows for an additional four weeks (160) hours for both the birth and non-birth parent to care for and bond with an eligible child.
  • Covered employees utilizing approved leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care (or other legal) placement of a child that occurs on or after January 1, 2020 will be eligible for Paid Parental Leave.
  • To qualify, an employee must be full-time or part-time (half-time or more) in a permanent, probationary, or time-limited (benefits-eligible) position; have been continuously employed by the State of North Carolina for the immediate 12 months; and have been in pay status for at least 1,040 hours in the previous 12 month period.
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Faculty who are covered under University Policy #89 (Serious Illness and Disability Leave for Faculty) are not covered under the new Paid Parental Leave policy. 

In recognition of the state's diverse needs for volunteers to support schools, communities, citizens, and non-profit organizations the UNCW Community Service Leave is designed to recognize the commitment of state employees to engage in volunteer service, paid time up to 24 hours per year may be granted for:

  • Involvement in a child's school
  • Tutoring and mentoring in schools (36 hours per year)
  • Volunteer activity in the schools or a community service organization
  • Volunteering in a state public university, community college system or state agency provided that it is outside of the employee's normal duties
Community Service Leave Policy

Provides up to eight hours per year to eligible employees for a day of personal observance. This day of personal observance includes (but is not limited to) days of cultural or religious importance. The day used for Personal Observance Leave does not have to be a day from the employee’s own religious or cultural background. 

Personal Observance Leave Policy

Each new permanent staff employee attends an Employee Orientation Program which covers all benefit plans in detail. Enrollment requirements and procedures are provided at orientation. If you have questions, please contact:

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES & PAYROLL
302 HFR Administration Building
Cullowhee, NC 28723
828.227.7218

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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