0In this Issue:
- Timely and Accurate Employer Reporting
- Member Name Updates
- LGERS Estimated Employer Contributions Effective July 1, 2026
- Employer Reporting Access as of February 1
- Discontinued Service Retirement
- Service Credit for Members on Short-Term Disability
- NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans
- NCRS Events
- NC State Health Plan Important Prospective Retiree Information
State law requires contributions and reporting must be submitted on or before the 5th business day of the month in order to be considered complete and avoid a penalty.
Both contributions and reporting must be submitted by the employer on or before the 5th business day of the month in order to be considered complete and avoid a penalty. Employee and employer contributions and reporting are not considered submitted until the Retirement Systems Division receives all required information.
The schedule for CSI Contributions through 2026 is posted here.
Timely Reporting and Invoice Payments
To maintain correct information, it is important to take time to correct errors in ORBIT. Please respond to your Employer Reporting Team representative promptly so that any issues can be addressed and necessary adjustments can be processed as soon as possible.
Member Name Updates
If an employee has a name change and this is updated in the file, we will also need a copy of the member’s new Social Security card.
LGERS Estimated Employer Contributions Effective July 1, 2026
The following is to provide guidance for your planning purposes and make you aware of a change to the schedule in notifying employing agencies of the contribution rates payable to the Retirement System for local governmental employees.
View LGERS Employer Contribution Rates (estimated)
Employer Reporting Access as of February 1
On February 1, you will access ORBIT Employer Reporting by clicking the link on the right side of the ORBIT landing page. You will use your existing username and password.
If you are working with a new vendor or testing files, there is a slight change to the layout and you will see the Employer & FRSW Admin login moved below the first row.
Discontinued Service Retirement
A Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR) allows an employee, who is separated from service due to a Reduction in Force (RIF), the ability to receive a reduced or unreduced retirement benefit based on the member’s age and service at the time of the RIF if they are not currently eligible for an unreduced service retirement benefit. A DSR benefit is contingent upon the member meeting the following eligibility requirements and the DSR being approved by the Employer, State Budget Office (TSERS only) and State Personnel Director (TSERS only). It is important to note that the purchase of a DSR benefit does not add service credit to a member’s account, but instead pays additional contributions to the members account which allows them to retire earlier than they would normally be eligible to under a Service Retirement. These requests should be sent to ncretirement@nctreasurer.com.
For FAQs and procedures for DSR, please visit Discontinued Service Retirement | My NC Retirement.
Service Credit for Members on Short-Term Disability
Employers completing Form 711 or Form 714 are essential in ensuring that members receive the non-contributory service credit they are entitled to. Complete and accurate reporting protects a member’s disability timeline and prevents delays in applying for additional benefits.
When to Use Form 711 and Form 714
Understanding which form to use helps ensure proper processing:
- Form 714 – Requesting Service Credit for the DIPNC Short-Term Disability Period. Use this form when the member has been on short-term disability and is not applying for additional disability benefits. It is used solely to request non-contributory service credit for the short-term disability period.
- Form 711 – Determining and Recording Short-Term Disability Benefits. Use this form when the member has been on short-term disability and is applying for additional benefits through DIPNC. This form is required when applying for Extended Short-Term Disability or Long-Term Disability benefits.
Completing Section C
Section C on both forms is where employers document the member’s entire short-term disability payment history. Each line should reflect part of the payment timeline, so the full period is captured without gaps.
Include:
- All short-term disability payments
- Any period of exhausted leave
- Any Worker’s Compensation (WC) payments
- Any severance salary continuation
This information verifies the members’ eligibility for non-contributory service credit and continued benefits under DIPNC.
Why Full Documentation Matters
A complete record of 365 days of Short-Term Disability is required before a member can qualify for Extended Short-Term Disability or Long-Term Disability benefits. Missing information—such as unreported WC periods, gaps between payment types, or unsigned and undated forms—can delay processing and may result in incomplete service credit.
A fully documented Section C ensures:
- No gaps in the disability timeline
- Clear transitions between payment types
- Accurate and timely crediting of service
- Properly signed and dated forms
NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans
For the first time since its creation in 1985 the North Carolina Supplemental Retirement Plans’ (SRP) 401(k) Plan and NC 457 Plan topped $20 billion in investment assets, State Treasurer Brad Briner announced today.
The major milestone was reported at the Supplemental Retirement Board of Trustees’ quarterly meeting. The market value of investments increased from $17.7 billion at the end of 2024 to $20 billion at the close of 2025. The assets have more than doubled in the past seven years. Currently there are 325,714 participants in 401(k) and 457 plans.
Discover upcoming Retirement Systems webinars and events. Registration is required.
Important Prospective Retiree Information
As we approach the popular retirement months, employers are encouraged to make sure employees are aware of how important timing is when it comes to retirement and their State Health Plan coverage. Employers can share this Fact Sheet with employees who are thinking about retiring.
The State Health Plan also continues to offer the “Understanding Your Medical Plan Options When You Become Medicare-Eligible” webinar series.
These webinars are designed for employees who will soon be 65, are already 65 or older, and retirees getting ready to turn 65. Each event lasts approximately 2 hours and will explain important information regarding Medicare, retirement health benefit options and offer the opportunity to ask questions. Upcoming webinars are currently scheduled through April.
Employees who wish to attend are encouraged to Register Soon as these events fill quickly!