Table of Contents
- Employer-Implemented New Systems and Testing
- Timely and Accurate Employer Reporting
- Retirement Season is Here!
- Payroll Reporting questions must be routed correctly for quickest responses
- LGERS and TSERS Retirement Systems Rates Effective 7/1/23
- Long Hold Time?
- Employer NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans' Employer Platform Migration
- Employer and Member Webinars
- Understanding Your Medical Plan Options When You Become Medicare Eligible Webinars
⭐Employer-Implemented New Systems and Testing
Are you updating or implementing a new payroll system? Once you have finalized writing your business requirements and the new system is in place, the Retirement Systems Division is here to help with testing. If you intend to use a vendor for your system changes, you should still be plan on being part of that process as the key contact for reporting.
We request that you notify us as soon as possible if you are making a change or upgrade so we can schedule testing that aligns with your planned start date. You should expect testing to take at least 90 days.
Timely and Accurate Employer Reporting
Employee and Employer contributions are due via the monthly Contribution Summary Instructions (CSI) by 5:00 p.m. on the 5th business day of the month along with the Monthly ORBIT payroll report. If the 5th falls on a weekend, contributions are due the following business day by 5 p.m. This schedule has been updated to include 2023 dates and is located on our website.
myNCRetirement Tip: Create a calendar reminder so you meet the required deadlines.
Retirement Season is Here!
As a reminder, the Retirement Systems Division works on a first-in first-out basis for retirement processing. It is important to take time to complete and send the employer-required Form 6C in a timely manner in order to process member retirements.
Employer Reporting Reminders: The last day worked is not the Retirement date. The Retirement date is the first day of the members Retirement.
Do you need to send member documents to the Retirement Systems Division?
Employers should send member records to MemberRecords@nctreasurer.com. This will ensure timely handling of important documents.
Payroll Reporting questions must be routed correctly for quickest responses
Please email your questions about File Rejection Reports (problems preventing your payroll report being submitted acceptably) to Orbit Employer Reporting OER@nctreasurer.com.
Questions and correspondence about Error Correction Reports (resolving errors after the payroll report has been submitted acceptably) can be emailed to your assigned Employer Reporting Specialist.
Note: Failure to clear errors for a member’s account can result in incorrect service accrual, incorrect retirement calculation, impact benefit eligibility, and will prevent MARS (My Annual Retirement Statement) from being created for the employees affected.
Reporting Pay Periods Correctly
When employees retire, we rely on an employer supplying the correct information for that employee’s service to the state or local government. Please keep the following in mind, when reporting your employees’ pay period dates.
ORBIT equates the term “Pay Period Date” with the span of time that the employee actually worked to earn this amount of money. Pay Period does not represent the date when the employee was paid.
It is important to report the correct pay period dates to prevent incorrect service credit.
The pay period dates are critical to the process of determining service for a member.
- Pay Period Dates MUST fall within the Retirement Service Period.
- Pay Period Begin and End dates CANNOT be the same day.
- Pay Period Begin date CANNOT be more than 90 days prior to the report date.
- Pay Period Begin date CANNOT be prior to the member’s hire date (for new hires).
- Pay Period End date CANNOT go past the last day of the report month.
- Pay Period End date CANNOT occur before the Pay Period Begin date.
- Pay Period End date CANNOT extend beyond the termination date.
- As a reminder, the last day worked is not the Retirement date. The Retirement date is the first day of the members Retirement.
- Pay period begin date & end date cannot be the same, even if the member only worked one day.
- Pay period begin & end dates should reflect the days the member actually worked to earn the salary reported. All salary reported must be for pay periods that end on or before the Termination date or Retirement date.
Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System Rates Effective 7/1/23
LGERS employer contribution rates effective July 1, 2023, are posted to the Retirement Systems’ website.
The rates are posted publicly rather than mailing individual letters to every employer to improve efficiency and transparency and reduce costs. The table is ordered by five-digit employer code but is also searchable (by employer name) within a browser, or by downloading the PDF and using “Edit”->”Find” in Adobe.
The specific rate(s) paid by each employing unit will include the “base rate” from the table above, and other adjustments that are specific to the unit.
Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System Rates Effective 7/1/23
TSERS employer contribution rates effective July 1, 2023, will depend on the legislative budget process.
Long Hold Time?
We have received some reports of Employers experiencing long hold times waiting to reach Employer Reporting for Payroll Reporting questions, however we have adequate coverage and there should not be long wait times if you are using the proper phone prompts.
To reach Employer Reporting for Payroll Reporting questions during hours of operation 8:30am-4:30pm; please phone 919-814-9816.
NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans’ Empower Platform Migration
In Q1 2024, there will be a series of enhancements to plan administration and data security when the NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans (the Plans) migrate to a new recordkeeping platform at Empower. You will receive information, webinar invitations and training schedules. Please pay special attention to these communications. They will provide specific details on the following key areas where action will be required:
- Authorized Employer Contacts: You will be required to review and update your current list of authorized employer contacts (or representatives). As part of this process, you will confirm user access and update access levels to the Plan Sponsor Website. You will also be able to add or remove users. An accurate and complete list of your representatives are critical to maintaining the Plans’ data security, fulfilling your obligations with the Plans, and assisting in a smooth migration by Empower.
- Payroll Processing: The current payroll process, which includes flexibility in filing frequencies and format, will remain in place. However, the process to submit your payroll will be changing and moving to Empower’s proprietary recordkeeping system.
- Plan Service Center Website: Empower’s Plan Service Center (PSC) website will replace the current Plan Sponsor Website you use today. In the meantime, please review the participant census reports on your Plan Sponsor Website to ensure your employees’ correct status (Active or Terminated) is listed.
Empower will have resources available to guide you through each step of the process. Your dedicated Empower Retirement Education Counselor is available to answer questions and provide support; click here to find your counselor and their contact information.
Virtual and on-demand training options help you understand employer roles, responsibilities and assist employees with retirement related matters. Employer Training is available throughout the year.
There are ongoing retirement planning and information sessions are available for new members, mid-career and those nearing retirement. We encourage member participation so they can learn about their benefits and plan for their financial future.
Employer Webinars
MyNCRetirement Employer Training Webinars
Empower Retirement Benefits Webinars
Member Webinars
Empower Retirement Benefits Webinars
'Understanding Your Medical Plan Options When You Become Medicare-Eligible' Webinars Scheduled through August!
The State Health Plan is again offering online webinars with important information on “Understanding Your Medical Plan Options When You Become Medicare-Eligible.”
These popular, free webinars are designed for active employees who will soon be 65, are already 65 or older, and retirees getting ready to turn 65. Each webinar lasts approximately 2 hours and will explain important information regarding Medicare, your retirement health benefit options and offer the opportunity to ask questions.
Webinars are scheduled through August. If you haven’t already, register soon, as these webinars are expected to fill quickly! To register, visit the State Health Plan website.
Please note: A limited number of in-person sessions are also in the planning stages. Stay tuned for more information.