Thank you for your service to the citizens of North Carolina!
You are a member of one of the largest and well-funded pensions in the United States. All in all, we have over 1 million members and this includes people like you and retirees.
As you move through your career, there are several steps you can take to shape your financial future in retirement and make sure you understand the benefits available.
Each month, you contribute 6% to your pension, and this, along with your employer contributions and investment returns, will make up your lifetime monthly benefit when eligibility requirements are met.
Early Career
Retirement may seem like a long way down the road, but it's never too early to start planning.
This is the time to set some goals. These may change as you move through your career, but the goals you set now will help you prepare for the retirement you envision.
- You already contribute monthly to your potential future pension benefit and that is a great foundation for your future retirement income.
- Consider participating in the NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans. These Plans will help bridge the gap between your pension and social security, and the amount you will need to retire. This may be the time to set it and forget it. Early in your career, additional retirement savings contributions have the added value of time on their side. Compounding interest will help your money grow in the long term.
ORBIT is the secure portal for your retirement account where you can monitor your benefits. Here you can:
- review your personal information
- track your years of service and contributions
- elect and update beneficiaries
- estimate what your future benefit will be when you meet all eligibility requirements
- update your personal email address and phone number
- reach a counselor
As an active member, your employer will provide updates to your address. It is important to keep your personal information up to date, so you receive important account updates and make use of the multi-factor authentication protocols we have in place for the security of your account.
Take time to learn about your current and future benefits as a member of the North Carolina Retirement Systems. We host a variety of events throughout the year.
Set expectations for your future wealth and health. Saving now can have a big impact on your future.
Make a commitment to check in at least once a year on your retirement savings, beneficiary designations and personal information for all of your accounts.
Did you receive a raise? Pay yourself first and start or increase your contributions to the NC Supplemental Retirement Plans (NC 401(k)/NC 457 Plans).
Mid-Career
Mid-career is a great time to reassess where you are now and where you want to be in retirement. You may need to make some adjustments to be retirement ready or your goals have changed.
ORBIT is the secure portal for your retirement account where you can monitor your benefits. Here you can:
- review your personal information
- track your years of service and contributions
- elect and update beneficiaries
- estimate what your future benefit will be when you meet all eligibility requirements
- update your personal email address and phone number
- reach a counselor
As an active member, your employer will provide updates to your address. It is important to keep your personal information up to date, so you receive important account updates and make use of the multi-factor authentication protocols we have in place for the security of your account.
This is one of the most important tools for planning. Located in your secure ORBIT account, the Custom Benefit Estimate provides a calculation based on information you provide and current ORBIT information.
Now is the time to consider maximizing your contributions to the NC 401(k) and/or NC 457 Plan.
SECURE 2.0 update – ‘super’ catch-up contribution limit for ages 60-63 The IRS limits the amount you can save each year, and participants over age 50 can contribute more through catch-up contributions. And now, those turning the ages of 60 to 63 can save even more. Starting January 1, 2025, each year in which you turn ages 60, 61, 62 or 63, you can save an extra $11,250 in catch-up contributions. This is called the “super” catch-up contribution. However, the year in which you turn 64, the super catch-up contribution ends, and the standard catch-up limit resumes.
For each Plan: NC 401(k) and NC 4571,2 Max. Contribution Standard Contributions $23,500 Catch-up Contributions (50 or older) $7,500 Super catch-up ages 60 - 63 $11,250 NC 457 Plan Specifically2 Three-Year Catch-up Contributions $47,000 Participating in BOTH the NC 401(k) AND 457 Plans1,2 Standard Contributions $47,000 Catch-up Contributions (50 or older) $15,000 Super catch-up ages 60 - 63 $22,500.
Visit the IRS website for more information.
The North Carolina Retirement Systems hosts a variety of events throughout the year to help you get the most from your benefits. Registration is required.
Late Career
As you are nearing the end of your career in public service and gearing up to apply for your retirement, it is important to make sure all information is current and up to date in ORBIT and with any other benefit you may have (including the NC 401(k)/NC 457 Plans, NC Flex Benefits, State Health Plan and any other personal accounts).
ORBIT is the secure portal for your retirement account where you can monitor your benefits. Here you can:
- review your personal information
- track your years of service and contributions
- elect and update beneficiaries
- estimate what your future benefit will be when you meet all eligibility requirements
- update your personal email address and phone number
- reach a counselor
As an active member, your employer will provide updates to your address. It is important to keep your personal information up to date, so you receive important account updates and make use of the multi-factor authentication protocols we have in place for the security of your account.
This is one of the most important tools for planning. Located in your secure ORBIT account, the Custom Benefit Estimate provides a calculation based on information you provide and current ORBIT information.
You will need to create a Custom Benefit Estimate prior to applying for retirement and before a one-on-one appointment.
Time to gather your budget, custom benefit estimate and review the process for retiring online. Congratulations and thank you for your service!
ORBIT Self-Service
ORBIT provides you with secure access to your personal North Carolina Retirement Systems' account information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Register your account so you can take advantage of the tools and resources available.
Benefits of an ORBIT Account
- View your creditable service history and contributions.
- Download personalized, fillable transaction forms.
- View your Annual Benefits Statements.
- View your beneficiary designations and add or edit your beneficiaries.
- Add or update your contact phone numbers and personal e-mail address.
- Access estimate calculators for service purchase, retirement benefit, or the NC 401(k)/NC 457 Plan Transfer Benefit.
Accessing ORBIT is easy and the link can be found on myNCRetirement.com in the top right navigation in the blue ribbon. You can also access ORBIT by visiting https://orbit.myncretirement.com/.
- Login with your user name and password.
- You may be prompted to request and enter a security code.
- If so, you will receive an email or text message with a security code you must enter on the Security Code screen to verify your identity.
- Once you have entered the security code, you will be allowed to continue in ORBIT.
- Click on Register.
- Enter your Social Security number, date of birth and click Next.
- Enter your ZIP code and click Next.
- Enter a username and password and provide your personal email address. Select three security questions, provide the answers and click Next.
- You will receive an email with a security code you must enter on the Security Code screen to verify your identity.
- After you have entered the security code, you will be allowed to login with the username and password you selected in Step 4.
- For more information about ORBIT New User Registration, click here.
- After logging into ORBIT, click on Create Custom Benefit Estimate.
- Enter your termination and retirement dates. Please note: Service Status is a required field. Enter the additional information requested.
- You will need to enter a beneficiary name and date of birth, even if you are interested only in the maximum allowance. It is used for the benefit calculation.
- Click on Calculate.
Here are some key steps to take to make the most of your benefits.
Frequently access ORBIT.myNCRetirement.com. Here, you can track your years of service, contributions, perform estimates on your potential future monthly benefit and so much more.
Designate and maintain your beneficiaries. This is an important step that ensures benefits available to you will go to the person or persons you intend. In ORBIT, this is done online, in real-time.
Add to your income in retirement by participating in the NC 401(k)/NC 457 Plans. These supplemental retirement savings plans can help you reach your retirement goals. Over half of the employers offering these plans also offer an employer contribution. Visit myNCPlans.com to see if these plans are right for you and speak to your employer about enrollment.
And finally, keep myNCRetirement.com at the top of your list. Here you will discover all of the benefits available to you as a member of the North Carolina Retirement Systems.
This page was last modified on 06/10/2025