Table of Contents
- Government Agencies & Members Impacted by Hurricane Helene
- Important Return-to-Work Updates for Members with a Retirement Date of April 1 - September 1
- NC 401(k) /NC 457 Plans' Disaster Relief Resources
- State Health Plan Updates
- Local Government Commission News
- Pierce Insurance - Optum Free Emotional Support Help Line
For Government Agencies in the Hurricane Helene Disaster Area
If you are an employer impacted by Hurricane Helene, we understand there may be delays in reporting to the North Carolina Retirement Systems. Please contact us by email (OER@nctreasurer.com) or phone (919-814-4590) at your earliest convenience so we can discuss options for your next opportunity to report.
For Our Members Living in the Hurricane Helene Disaster Area
- Form/Payment Deadlines: We understand you may be affected by suspended mail delivery, or lack of phone or internet service. We also understand you may have difficulty obtaining necessary information from your current or former employer, your medical provider, or your personal records. If you are worried about an administrative deadline for these reasons, please contact RSD when it becomes possible by calling 919-814-4590. In many (but not all) situations, RSD should have the authority to grant reasonable extensions and anticipates doing so when possible.
- Maintaining Address and Contact Information: It is important that you maintain your mailing address, phone number, and email address in RSD’s records. This is especially important if you are receiving mail at a new address. You can do that by visiting ORBIT self-service or by calling RSD at 919-814-4590.
Important updates for members with a retirement date of April 1 – September 1, 2024
Section 12.1 of Session Law 2024-51 (House Bill 149) provides temporary relief from certain retiree re-employment requirements. To qualify for this temporary relief, your effective retirement date must be between April 1, 2024, and September 1, 2024, and your employer must certify to the Retirement System that your work is needed due to the state of emergency or Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
- Qualified re-employed TSERS retirees temporarily have a one-month required separation instead of six-month separation. If the Hurricane Helene state of emergency declaration expires while anyone affected by this law might still be in their six-month waiting period, they must stop work and continue observing the rest of the six-month waiting period for their retirement to remain effective.
- Work performed by qualified TSERS re-employed retirees, from September 25, 2024, until the expiration of the state of emergency, does not violate the “separation from service” or “waiting period” requirements.
- Earnings received by qualified TSERS and LGERS re-employed retirees, between September 25, 2024, and the expiration of the state of emergency, do not count against the “earnable allowance,” i.e., the limitation on re-employment earnings by a retiree before their retirement benefit is suspended for the remainder of the calendar year. This item applies to anyone with an effective retirement date of September 1 or earlier.
- Special Separation Allowances received by Law Enforcement Officers or retired Law Enforcement Officers will not be impacted by any work performed between September 25, 2024, and the expiration of the state of emergency. (Note, the Retirement Systems Division does not administer Special Separation Allowances.)
All other laws/processes pertaining to retirees returning to work will continue to apply. That includes the requirement that, if a TSERS retiree is re-employed in a position requiring TSERS membership, or an LGERS retiree is re-employed in a position requiring LGERS membership, their retirement benefit must be suspended while they work in that position.
We understand that some employers may experience difficulties in remitting contributions. If you expect delays, please notify the Plans by phone (1-866-627-5267), email (ncplans@empower.com) or through your dedicated Retirement Education Counselor.
The Plans’ recordkeeper, Empower, is monitoring hardship requests from participants and will expedite those requests. As we work through participant requests for withdrawals, payments and deferrals, it is important to stay connected through the Plan Sponsor Center so you are aware of participant directions.
Participant Disaster Relief Resources
Participants affected by a federally declared major disaster may be eligible for disaster recovery distributions from the NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans, as well as special provisions on a loan taken from the NC 401(k) and/or NC 457 Plans.
If a participant’s primary residence is located in the FEMA-designated area during the incident period and at the time the Emergency Declaration was declared and the suffered economic loss due to the declared disaster, the participant is eligible to withdraw up to $22,000 per disaster.
If a participant is eligible for a disaster recovery distribution, the participant may also be eligible for a loan from their plan account.
If you are a participant or employer and need more information or have specific questions, please call 1-866-627-5267 (1-866-NC-PLANS) to speak with a representative for the NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans. The call center is available Monday-Friday between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm EST and Saturdays between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm EST.
We have created a webpage that will be updated as more information and resources become available. Please visit https://www.myncretirement.com/nc-401knc-457-plans-federal-disaster-relief-resources.
The State Health Plan is here for members impacted by Hurricane Helene. The State Health Plan has posted available resources and accommodations to the Plan’s website. The State Health Plan recently hosted a webinar for HBRs regarding this information and a recording of that webinar is also posted to the Plan’s website.
For local governments with questions on submission of audit reports and other interactions with the Local Government Commission including AFIRs, LGC-203s, debt applications, debt payment confirmations, etc., please contact Coach@nctreasurer.com and get more information here.
Pierce Insurance (Optum)
Optum (a division of UHG) is offering a free emotional-support help line to affected individuals. The toll-free number, 866-447-3573, is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. The service is free of charge and open to anyone, including individuals who are not UnitedHealthcare members. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources.