Frequently Asked Questions - North Carolina Retirement Systems (2024)

Enroll within 60 days upon receipt of your first retirement benefit payment.

Pierce Insurance will mail you an enrollment book that summarizes the supplemental benefits that are available to you as a retiree with the North Carolina Retirement Systems. To obtain identity theft protection, dental and vision insurance, you must complete the enrollment process within 60 days after you have received your first retirement benefit payment.

When will I receive information on the North Carolina Retirement Systems Supplemental Benefits?

After you have received your first retirement benefit payment, Pierce Insurance will mail you an enrollment book that summarizes the supplemental benefits that are available to you.
Pierce Insurance will also send you an email summarizing your benefits and how to enroll.
To obtain benefits you must complete the enrollment process within 60 days after you have received your first
retirement benefit payment.

Where can I find information on supplemental benefits and premiums?

What benefits are available to retirees?

LifeLock Identity Theft Protection:In an always-on, ever-connected world, the risk of identity theft is real. There’s a victim of identity theft every 2 seconds*. With your information, identity thieves can damage your finances, credit, and reputation. Get protection from LifeLock, a leader in identity theft protection.*Based on an online survey of 5,000 US adults conducted by The Harris Poll for Symantec, January 2019.

Dental by UnitedHeatlthcare:Proper dental care is important. That is why it is so important to have a dental plan that covers preventive, basic and major services. Summary of plan benefits:No waiting periodDiagnostic and Preventive Services are covered at 100% and no deductible$25.00 deductible, per member per plan year applies to Basic Restorative and Major Services

Vision by UnitedHeathcare:Our eyes are really windows to our health. An eye exam can help identify not only eye and vision issues, but systemic disease. Exam, lenses, frame and contact lens coverage included.Exam: Once every 12 monthsLenses: Once every 12 monthsFrame: Once every 24 monthsContact Lenses: Once every 12 months(contacts in lieu of lenses and frame)

Who is eligible to enroll in our plans?

Benefit recipients including retirees and members receiving a disability retirement and their dependents (up to age 26), in the retirement systems below. As a surviving spouse, you must enroll in the plan through the normal enrollment process.

Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement Systems (TSERS) members – who worked for State agencies, community colleges, public universities, local K-12 school systems, and some charter schools
Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement Systems (LGERS) members – who worked for towns, cities, counties, municipal departments (such as fire, law enforcement, rescue and EMS), boards of alcohol control, libraries, authorities (such as housing, airport, and water and sewer), and other separate, local governmental entities
Consolidated Judicial Retirement System (CJRS) members
Legislative Retirement System (LRS) members
Members receiving a long-term disability benefit through the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC)
Firefighters and Rescue Squad Workers, National Guard or Register of Deeds

Is there an association fee to participate?

No, all programs are offered directly through the North Carolina Retirement Systems.

What happens to my existing supplemental benefits when I retire?

This depends on the type of coverage you have and who your coverage is with. You should contact your Health Benefit Representative at your worksite to learn about your options.

Do you have dual coverage?

Remember to perform a dual coverage double check to make sure you are choosing coordinating options and receiving the benefits you need with the right level of financial commitment for your specific life situation. Dual coverage on benefits such as Dental, Vision and Identity Theft Protection may create duplicate benefits causing claims to not be paid as expected. If you have questions about deductions for these benefits, please call Pierce Insurance at 855-627-3847.

How do I make sure I do not have a lapse in dental or vision coverage when I transition from employee to retiree?

You may need to continue your current plan(s) through COBRA until your North Carolina Retirement Systems plans are effective. Your Health Benefit Representative can advise you on your options.

How do I enroll?

Enroll Now

3 easy ways to enroll in identity theft protection, dental and vision benefits.

Enroll Online
Fill out the enrollment form online and then click submit. It is that easy!
Download Enrollment Form
and follow the instructions on the form to submit by mail, email or fax.
Enroll by phone
Call Toll Free (855) 627-3847

How are the monthly premiums collected?

3 Easy Ways to Pay Your Premium:

Pension deduction
Direct-bill
Bank draft

NOTE: Firefighters and Rescue Squad Workers, National Guard or Register of Deeds Pension Funds’ benefit recipients qualify for direct bill only.

If I do not enroll in supplemental benefits when I retire, will I have another opportunity?

Open enrollment is held each year, typically in October. An Open Enrollment booklet will be mailed to the address you have on file with the retirement system. You may also visit this website periodically for announcements.

How do I update my mailing and e-mail addresses to receive open enrollment materials each fall?

There are two ways to update your mailing address:

Send a written request to change your address to the North Carolina Retirement Systems. The address is:
North Carolina Department of State Treasurer
ATTN: North Carolina Retirement Systems
3200 Atlantic Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27604
Update your address through ORBIT

How do I notify Pierce Insurance when my dependents are no longer eligible?

Members must notify Pierce Insurance by mail , email ([emailprotected]) or fax advising which dependents no
longer qualify.

Pierce Insurance Agency
Attn: NCRS
PO Box 727
Farmville, NC 27828
Fax: 252-753-5941

If I miss open enrollment how can I make changes to my benefits?

It depends on your coverage. Call Pierce Insurance to discuss your options: 855-627-3847.

What are the “qualifying life events” for benefit recipients to change dental or vision coverage?

The following events may affect supplemental insurance and/or State Health Plan eligibility, but, except for death, typically do not affect monthly retirement benefits or the $10,000 Contributory Death Benefit coverage:

You change your legal marital status, which includes marriage, death of spouse, divorce, legal separation, or annulment.
Your dependents change due to birth, adoption, placement for adoption, or death of the dependent.
You, your spouse, or your dependents terminate or commence employment.
You, your spouse, or your dependents reduce or increase their hours of employment.
Your dependents cease or commence to satisfy the requirements for coverage due to attainment of age or
attainment or loss of their own employer-sponsored health care coverage.
You, your spouse, or your dependents commence or return from an unpaid leave of absence such as family
and medical leave or military leave.
You receive a court order to provide coverage for your children.

How do I get in touch with Pierce Insurance Agency?

Phone: 855-627-3847
Fax: 252-753-5941
Email: [emailprotected]
Website: www.ncretiree.com
Mailing address:
Pierce Insurance Agency
Attn: NCRS
PO Box 727
Farmville, NC 27828