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Employee Benefits Central

Welcome to the University of North Carolina System’s comprehensive employee benefits site!

As an employee of the UNC System or one of its constituent institutions, you have access to various benefits and retirement programs. This page includes all the information and links you will need to learn about the many benefits and retirement plans available to you, whether you’re a new hire, have a qualifying life event, or during annual enrollment.

We encourage newly hired employees to contact your employing institution’s Human Resources Benefits unit directly for details about benefits information sessions (New Hire Benefits Orientation) as well as to gain access to numerous resources and tools available to assist you with learning more about these available benefits and retirement programs.

Benefits Summary

The UNC System and its constituent institutions offer a flexible and comprehensive package of benefits, along with valuable work and family programs. These programs can help you attain your retirement savings and career goals, as well as help meet your everyday needs. Our programs are designed to allow you to tailor a benefits package that best meets the unique needs of you and your family. Click the image to the right to review the current benefits summary.

We also encourage you to view the UNC System Benefits Overview presentation (with voiceover) to gain a better understanding of the many benefits available to you, as well as the enrollment process and deadline details for new hires and those experiencing a qualifying life event.

Benefits Basics

Important

As of Sept. 1, 2023, the University moved to TIAA as the single recordkeeper for the UNC System retirement plans. Employees with a balance in one or more of the UNC System retirement plans (Optional Retirement Program, UNC 457(b), UNC 403(b) plans) will receive detailed transition information at their home address via US Mail in late January. This information is also available here:

Retirement plans

Mandatory Retirement Plans

The University understands the importance of preparing for your financial future. To assist with the many unique future financial goals and needs of its employees, we offer eligible employees a choice between two retirement programs, the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) or the University of North Carolina Optional Retirement Program (ORP). All employees must be enrolled in one of these valuable retirement plans. The Decision Guide to the right links to information to assist you with determining which mandatory retirement plan will be best for you. See below for more information and plan resources.

Mandatory Retirement: Plan and Enrollment Information

All employees must participate in either the Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS) OR the University’s Optional Retirement Program (ORP).

Key New Hire Notes:

  • Your mandatory retirement election is an irrevocable decision and must be made within 30 days of your date of hire in a benefits-eligible position.
  • Failure to make an election will result in automatic enrollment in the TSERS plan at the conclusion of the 30-day enrollment window.
  • Deductions are taken retroactively to the date of hire on base salary earnings.
  • Mandatory retirement elections are completed in the UNC Empyrean enrollment platform. See the enrollment section below for a link to your institution’s platform.

If you would like assistance with determining which plan to enroll in, please contact CAPTRUST for unbiased advice to help you through your decision-making process. (800-967-9948 or use www.captrustadvice.com).

Resources:

Supplemental Retirement Plans

While both the TSERS and ORP plans provide valuable opportunities for you to prepare for your future, you may want to consider boosting your retirement savings by participating in one or more of the available supplemental retirement plans. The University of North Carolina offers the UNC 403(b) and UNC 457(b) supplemental retirement plans, and the State of North Carolina offers the NC 401(K) and NC 457(b) supplemental retirement plans to help ensure you can reach your future retirement goals. See below for more details on these various supplemental retirement plans, tips on investing for your future, as well as enrollment information.

Supplemental Retirement: Plan and Enrollment Information

  • All supplemental retirement plans are offered on a pre- or post-tax basis.
  • You may enroll in any of the supplemental retirement plans at any time in your career.
  • Depending on your institution’s process, you may need to enroll using a paper form. Enrollment forms are linked below.

Resources:

Health and Supplemental Insurance

Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage for the UNC System and its constituent institutions is provided by the State Health Plan (SHP) of North Carolina and administered by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina. Click the image above to watch a three-minute video overview of the Plan. Review the below resources to better understand your options and to determine the best health plan for you and your family.

State Health Plan: Plan and Enrollment Information

  • The SHP offers two voluntary medical plan options for you and your dependents –  the Base PPO Plan (70/30) or Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20).
  • You have 30 days from the first day of your employment or the date of a qualifying life event (birth, death, gain/loss of other coverage, marriage, etc.) to make or change your plan election.
  • Don’t miss out! Earn a monthly $60 wellness credit by completing the tobacco user attestation during your initial enrollment and during each annual enrollment. If you’re a tobacco user, you will need to attend a free cessation appointment to receive your credit.
  • The SHP requires supporting documentation for dependent(s) who are included on your medical coverage. Documentation is also required for verification when making a change to your coverage due to a qualifying life event. See the Required Documentation for Qualifying Life Events and Dependent Eligibility link below.
  • Remember: SHP insurance premiums are deducted one month in advance of coverage. Depending on the timing of your enrollment, your plan and coverage level, and payroll processing deadlines, you may have a large retroactive premium deducted from your paycheck.
  • SHP enrollment is done in the BenefitFocus (eBenefits) enrollment platform. The enrollment section below has links to your institution’s platform.

Resources:

Supplemental Insurance

NCFlex Health Programs

You can choose to participate in supplemental health benefits through the NCFlex insurance plans, sponsored by the State of North Carolina. As a university employee, you may choose to enroll in many NCFlex benefits such as dental, vision, accident, cancer, critical illness, flexible spending accounts (health care and dependent day care), and TRICARE supplemental coverage. Pick and choose from these available supplemental insurance plans to build a benefits package that best meets the needs of you and your family. Click the image linked above to view the video collection on the various NCFlex plans. Additional information below will provide more in-depth information about the various NCFlex plans.

NCFlex Program: Plan and Enrollment Information

  • You pay full cost for NCFlex benefits on a pre-tax basis, saving an average of 30 percent.
  • You have 30 days following your hire date or the date of a qualifying life event (birth, death, gain/loss of other coverage, marriage, etc.) to enroll or make a plan change.
  • Enrollment in the various NCFlex supplemental health plans is done on the UNC Empyrean (COMPASS) enrollment platform. See the enrollment section below for a link to your institution’s platform.
  • NCFlex requires employees to upload documents into the enrollment platform or provide supporting documentation to the University Benefits Administrator to verify the qualifying life event within 30 days in accordance with plan rules. See the Required Documentation for Qualifying Life Events link below.

Resources:

UNC Income protection Program

The UNC System recognizes that unexpected, life-changing events can occur at any time in anyone’s life. To aid in your preparation for these unpredictable instances, you have the ability to elect additional insurance coverage intended to protect your income and provide comfort knowing there’s a back-up plan in place. Review each plan’s description, the employee rates, and enrollment process by clicking on the image linked to the right and reviewing the details below.

UNC Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Plans

As a university employee, you are automatically enrolled into the UNC Core Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) plan. Therefore, you need not take any action other than designating your beneficiary(ies) for this free benefit. The University also offers additional coverage through the UNC Voluntary Life and the Voluntary AD&D plans through Securian Financial.

UNC Supplemental Disability Plans

In addition to life and accident plans, the University also extends disability plan benefits through Lincoln for employees enrolled in the Teacher and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) and The Standard for employees in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). Each benefit may pay up to 66 2/3 percent of your pre-disability earnings.

UNC Income Protection Program: Plan and Enrollment Information

  • You pay full cost for the UNC Income Protection plans on an after-tax basis.
  • You have 30 days from your date of hire to make your plan election.
  • Any enrollments after the initial 30 days enrollment window will be subject to evidence of insurability (EOI).
  • UNC Income Protection Plan elections are completed in the UNC Empyrean enrollment platform. See the enrollment section below for links to your institution’s single sign-on platform.

Resources:

Work/Life PRograms

As part of our ongoing commitment to the health and wellness of employees, the University offers a variety of programs focused on healthy lifestyles and balancing the responsibilities of work and personal life. Ensuring balance stars with offering exciting and meaningful career opportunities matched with opportunities to grow personally, spend time with friends and family, and explore life. From here you can access System-wide resources for wellness and work/life balance. See the individual sections below and the drop-down Resources box for more program and leave information.

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program offers a free, confidential counseling and resource program designed to help University employees and their families deal with both personal and work-related concerns. The University contracts with ComPsych to administer the program for all UNC System institutions. This benefit is available not only to all permanent employees but is also available to their dependent spouse and/or child(ren) as well. Find a link to the EAP website in the Resources section.

Educational Benefits

Tuition Waiver: Benefits-eligible employees who participate in a mandatory retirement plan (ORP or TSERS) may be eligible to enroll in certain university courses free of charge of tuition and fees provided the enrollment does not interfere with normal employment obligations. The waiver of tuition for an employee shall be limited to three courses per academic year, except for Law Enforcement Officers, who have unlimited courses available. Some institutions may exclude certain courses due to funding sources (self-supported, grant-funded, etc.). We strongly encourage employees to discuss the tuition waiver program with the enrolling UNC institution.

Academic Assistance: The state’s Academic Assistance Program is another educational benefit made available through the state but is limited in use. Participation is determined by each institution based on available funds designated for reimbursement of academic costs. If funding is available at your employing agency, pre-approval for participation is still required to ensure academic work will be job-related and used for workforce development. We strongly encourage employees to discuss this academic assistance program with their supervisor and employing institution to determine availability for participation.

Leave Benefits

The University provides a variety of leave programs to meet the needs of staff and faculty, from paid vacation, sick and voluntary shared leave, community service, military leave, to various special medical leave benefits (e.g., FMLA, Faculty Serious Illness, Paid Parental Leave, disability, etc.).

Note: Not all UNC System institutions observe the same holiday closures as other institutions or state agencies. It is essential that you confirm your campus’s holiday schedule and floating holiday use considerations.

Resources

How to Enroll in Mandatory Retirement, Health, and Supplemental Insurance

The University has two enrollment platforms that must be accessed to complete enrollment into the SHP, University, and NCFlex benefits. Both are accessible through your institution's single sign-on platform.
Link to enrollment platforms