Membership in TSERS is automatic for eligible employees. 

You become a TSERS member on your hire date if you are:

• a permanent full-time teacher or employee of a state-supported board of education or community college.
• a permanent employee of the state (or any of its agencies, departments, bureaus or institutions) and work at least 30 hours per week for nine months per year.
• a permanent employee of a charter school that participates in TSERS, and you work at least 30 hours per week for nine months per year.
• a community college President hired after June 30, 2018.

You may join an optional retirement program (ORP) instead of TSERS if you are:

• a faculty member, administrator or other eligible employee at a state institution of higher education.
• a community college president hired on or before to June 30, 2018.

You are not eligible to join TSERS and should contact your employer/Human Resources if you are:

• an Agricultural Extension Service employee and a member of the Federal Employees’ Retirement System.
• a new employee of the University of North Carolina Health Care System hired on or after Jan. 1, 2024.
• an employee of the Medical Faculty Practice Plan or ECU Dental School Clinical hired on or after Jan. 1, 2024.