State Teacher Plans for North Carolina

Many teachers do not have access to low-cost choices in their 403(b) plans. Of the 62 district 403(b) plans that we have graded so far in North Carolina, 4 districts have an A rating, 0 districts have a B rating, 21 districts have a C rating, 5 districts have a D rating, and 32 districts have an F rating.

If you are a teacher in North Carolina, here are the state teacher plan options that are available to you.

North Carolina TSERS

Most states still offer a traditional formula-based pension. Under this type of arrangement an educator would receive a percentage of their final year's salary until death that is based on some combination of years worked, age, and salary. Some states have made pension plans less generous to new hires, and some states have replaced traditional pensions with 401(k)-type plans.

More information about the North Carolina TSERS plan is available directly from the pension website, and Karl Fisch's book on the North Carolina pension is available here. Pension plan information for other states is also available for reference through this state pension search tool. This data is shared with us by Karl Fisch, and it is current as of January 1, 2025.

Applicable to All Teachers

Social Security

North Carolina teachers also pay into Social Security

Administrative Fee for Supplemental Plans

401k and 457 for some, $25 per year + 0.01%

New Teachers Hired On or After 1/1/2024

Defined Benefit

Employee: 6%; Employer: 24.04%

Multiplier

1.82%

Average Salary

Highest 48 consecutive months

Normal Retirement

Any age with 30 years of service
Age 60 with 25 years of service
Age 65 with 5 years of service

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

Determined yearly by General Assembly

Veteran Teachers Hired Prior to 1/1/2001

There are no additional benefit tiers between the new teacher and veteran teacher tiers compared here. The exact transition date between these tiers is not relevant to this comparison.

Defined Benefit

Employee: 6%; Employer: 24.04%

Multiplier

1.82%

Average Salary

Highest 48 consecutive months

Normal Retirement

Any age with 30 years of service
Age 60 with 25 years of service
Age 65 with 5 years of service

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

Determined yearly by General Assembly

North Carolina Total Retirement Plans 457(b)

Every state operates a 457(b) plan that serves governmental workers like police, fire, and state government officials. These plans are generally excellent, and in many cases they are superior to the 403(b) offerings available in school district plans. Most states allow educators to participate in these plans; unfortunately, about a dozen do not.

Find out more about how we rate state 457(b) plans and view plans in other states.

Green North Carolina

North Carolina Total Retirement Plans teachers are eligible to contribute to this plan.

Fees

0.01% admin fee, $26 account fee, and a low index fee

Record Keeper

Prudential

Target Date Fund

Goalmaker

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