Incoming Employees with Prior State of NC Service
PRIOR STATE SERVICE IS DEFINED AS:
1. The previous employment was with an applicable state employer AND
2. The previous position was one in which contributions were made to the State Retirement System (TSERS) or the UNC Optional Retirement Program (ORP).
Total State service is the time of full-time or part-time (20 hours or more) employment of employees with a permanent, probationary or time-limited appointment, whether subject to or exempt from the State Human Resources Act.
BENEFITS TRANSFER EMPLOYEE IS DEFINED AS:
1. The previous employment was with an NC Flex Participating Agency or UNC System Institution AND
2. The break in service between participating agencies was 30 days or less.
Please note: Only NCFlex benefits and UNC System benefits can be transferred from State of NC or UNC System employers who offered NCFlex plans. All eligible employees must re-enroll in Medical coverage and a Mandatory Retirement Plan. A UNC System transfer as defined above will also have their mandatory retirement plan enrollment transferred. All other employees with prior state service must re-enroll in a mandatory retirement plan. Please review steps 2 and 3 carefully, and the benefits chart below, for further detail.
ALL INCOMING EMPLOYEES WITH QUALIFYING PRIOR STATE SERVICE SHOULD COMPLETE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING 3 STEPS:
Step 1: Request Transfer of Service Time and Leave (with UHR Human Resources Information Management)
Complete the Prior State Service Submission Form
This notifies Human Resources Information Management (HRIM) of your information and they will send a request to your most recent state employer to confirm your total years of service and transfer any eligible leave. You will receive notification once the request has been processed. Depending on the policies of your previous employer, total state service verification can take 2-3 weeks to process. If you have questions about the verification process, reach out to hrimrecords@ncsu.edu OR 919-515-7929.
Step 2: Request transfer of NC FLEX and/or UNC System Benefits (with UHR Benefits)
If an employee transfers within state government with a break of 30 days or less from another agency, university, participating community college or participating charter school, NC Flex benefits and UNC System Life Insurance & AD&D transfer.
Only NCFlex benefits and UNC System benefits can be transferred from State of NC or UNC System employers who offered NCFlex plans. (If you are not sure if your prior State of NC employer offered NCFlex plans, review the list here.)
All eligible employees must re-enroll in Medical coverage, please see step 3 below for details on this process.
Mandatory Retirement Plans are handled differently. Your enrollment process will depend on who your previous employer was. A UNC System transfer will also have their mandatory retirement plan enrollment reinstated provided that the employee was previously given the option to choose between TSERS and ORP and the funds have not been withdrawn. All other employees with prior state service or UNC System transfers who did not have the option to choose between the TSERS and ORP previously, or have more than a 30 day break in service must re-enroll in a mandatory retirement plan.
Guidelines state that an employee with previous employment at a UNC System institution must remain in the same retirement plan provided that the account has not been withdrawn and that they were previously given the opportunity to choose between the TSERS and ORP.
Once you have confirmed your prior State of NC employer offered NC Flex plans, please, submit a case through HRNow to request the transfer of your NC Flex, UNC System benefits, and/or Mandatory Retirement Plan..
When completing the form, select Other in the “Topic” field and include the following information in the “How can we help you?” field:
- NC State University 9-digit employee number (if known)
- Prior NC Flex eligible employer
- Last day worked
- First day of employment with NC State University
For employees with previous UNC System employment, please include:
- Mandatory Retirement Plan enrollment: (TSERS or ORP)
- Date of hire with previous UNC System Institution
Attach Copy of confirmation statement from enrollment platform, or last paystub showing benefit deductions if accessible from prior employer.
A member of the benefits team will reach out to you for further information to process your request. Please ensure your HRNow case includes all Benefits-related questions/inquiries upon submission.
Step 3: Enroll for coverage within designated enrollment periods.
Please carefully review plan options and enrollment processes below. All employees must re-enroll in medical at each State of NC employer. If you are not transferring from an NC Flex participating agency, you will also need to complete enrollment in NC Flex plans and UNC System benefits within your first 30 days of hire.
Employees with previous employment at a state agency that is not a UNC System institution must re-enroll in a mandatory retirement within your first 30 days of hire. Those electing to change their mandatory retirement plan should review the information regarding said change. Contributory service is only maintained if the same account type (TSERS or ORP) is maintained with no withdrawals or rollovers.
Guidelines state that an employee with previous employment at a UNC System institution must remain in the same retirement plan provided that the account has not been withdrawn and that they were previously given the opportunity to choose between the TSERS and ORP.
Contact UHR Benefits with any questions by submitting an inquiry in HRNow .
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| 31 days or MORE break in service | 30 days or LESS break in service | |
|---|---|---|
| State Health Plan | Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. Coverage selected does not have to match previous coverage. | Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. Coverage selected does not have to match previous coverage. |
| Post Doc Health Insurance | Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. | Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. |
| NCFLEX PLANS: Dental, Vision, Cancer Plan, Critical Illness, Accident Plan Healthcare Flex Spending Dependent Day Care Flex Spending | Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. Coverage selected does not have to match previous coverage. | Confirm your employer offered NC Flex benefits and follow step 2 above and submit a case in HR Now to transfer NC Flex benefits All NC Flex benefits (See Step 2 at the top of the page) are transferred and employees cannot make coverage changes. *Please note that NC Flex Life Insurance & AD&D does not transfer for employees at NC Flex participating agencies outside of the UNC System. The UNC System does not offer NC Flex Life Insurance, but offers its own life insurance policy (below) that you may elect to enroll in. |
| UNC Life Insurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) | Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. Coverage selected does not have to match previous coverage. | If you are transferring from a UNC System Institution, follow step 2 at the top of the page and submit a case in HR Now to transfer NC Flex benefits and UNC System Life Insurance & AD&D. If your last employer was a state agency, enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. The UNC System does not offer NC Flex Life Insurance, and offers its own life insurance policy that you may elect to enroll in. |
| MetLife Legal Plan | This is an NC State University specific plan. Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. | This is an NC State University specific plan. Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date. |
All eligible employees must enroll in mandatory retirement at each State of NC employer.
Requirements: Guidelines state that an employee with previous employment at a UNC System institution must remain in the same mandatory retirement plan provided that the account has not been withdrawn and that they were previously given the opportunity to choose between the two plans – TSERS and ORP.
Employees with previous employment at a state agency that is not a UNC System institution may elect to enroll in TSERS or ORP. If you are contemplating changing mandatory retirement plans, review the information to ensure a proper understanding of how the change will affect your retirement and reach out to the benefits team through HR now with any questions.
If there are questions, incoming employees may submit a case through HRNow to initiate discussion on options related to retirement and disability selection choices listed below.
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| 31 days or MORE break in service | 30 days or LESS break in service | |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) UNC Optional Retirement Program (ORP) Supplemental Disability State Provided Disability Plans | Action needed: 1. Review participation requirements detailed above. 2. Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date | Action needed: If you are transferring from a UNC System Institution, follow step 2 at the top of the page and submit a case in HR Now to reinstate your mandatory retirement plan and supplemental disability. If your last employer was a state agency, enroll within 30 days from hire/start date: 1. Review participation requirements detailed above. 2. Enroll within 30 days from hire/start date |
Voluntary Retirement Plans
Voluntary retirement enrollment does not “transfer”. To re-enroll and begin your contributions to the voluntary retirement plan(s) at NC State, please follow the instructions in the table below. If you did not participate in the voluntary retirement plans at your previous employer, please visit the Voluntary Retirement Plans website to review the plan options and how to enroll.
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| 31 days or MORE break in service | 30 days or LESS break in service | |
|---|---|---|
| NC 401k and NC 457b | Re-enroll at any time. Action needed: Send completed Employer Change Form to HR Benefits via email at hrsbenefits@ncsu.edu, via fax at 3-2528, or by campus mail at Campus Box 7215. *Please do not include your SSN on any emailed forms. | Re-enroll at any time. Action needed: Send completed Employer Change Form to HR Benefits via email at hrsbenefits@ncsu.edu, via fax at 3-2528, or by campus mail at Campus Box 7215. *Please do not include your SSN on any emailed forms. |
| UNC System 403b and 457b | Re-enroll at any time. Action needed: Send completed Salary Reduction Agreement (UNC 403b) or Salary Deferral Agreement (UNC 457b) to HR Benefits via HRNow | Re-enroll at any time. Action needed: Send completed Salary Reduction Agreement (UNC 403b) or Salary Deferral Agreement (UNC 457b) to HR Benefits via HRNow. |
The HR Information Management (HRIM) team will use the information submitted on the Prior State Service Submission Form to reach out to the most recent state agency to have any applicable leave balances transferred. HRIM will notify the employee and the department HR representative upon completion. This process may take up to 2-3 weeks from date of hire.
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| Transfer from other agencies? | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation Leave (SHRA, EHRA) | SHRA: Yes. Note: While NC State will accept the transfer of leave, not all state and local agencies will transfer leave to us, so be sure to check with your current agency to determine options. OSHR Vacation Policy. Refer to the Leave Transferable chart on page 5. EHRA: NC State may accept the transfer of partial or full accrued annual leave at the discretion of the Chancellor or designee. This applies to any leave from a UNC constituent institution, the UNC System, State of North Carolina agency or local North Carolina government agency as designated by OSHR. Section 8.2.2 of EHRA policy 05.15.01. Note: Some state of NC agencies do not pay out annual leave to separating EHRA employees so be sure to check with your current agency to determine payout options. | SHRA, EHRA (not including 9 month Faculty) Eligibility is determined by your SHRA/EHRA status at your outgoing and incoming employer. |
| Post Doc Annual & Sick Leave | NC State does not accept the transfer of annual or sick leave for any incoming Post Doc employees. | Post Docs |
| Sick Leave | If transferring directly from another state agency or returning within five years from any type of separation, the ending balance with the previous agency is eligible to transfer. OSHR Sick Leave Policy | SHRA, EHRA (9 month faculty do not earn Sick Leave) |
| Adverse Weather Civil Leave | No | SHRA, EHRA, Post Docs |
| Bonus Leave Special Bonus Leave Community Service, Literacy & Tutoring/Mentoring Leave | If employee is transferring directly from another state agency, leave balances are eligible to transfer. | SHRA, EHRA, (Post Doc employees and 9 month faculty do not earn bonus or special bonus leave) |
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| Status at previous agency | 31 days or MORE break in service | 30 days or LESS break in service |
|---|---|---|
| Probationary Status | Probationary period of 12 months required. | Probationary status will follow the employee to the new position with NC State to serve out the remainder of the probationary period. Ex: If completed 7 months at previous agency, will serve 5 months at NC State. |
| Career Status | Probationary period of 12 months required. | Transfer into position with NC State at a Career Status. |
All faculty, staff and PostDocs are paid 1/12th of their annual salary on the last business day of the month. Refer to the Monthly Payroll Schedule for a list of paydays.