A variety of benefits are available to permanent employees who contribute to the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program ORP).
The University of North Carolina Optional Retirement Program (ORP) is an option or alternative to the North Carolina Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) for faculty and staff. Under the ORP, you control your investment choices, distribution methods, and retirement goals, whereas the State controls the investments under TSERS.
The University has authorized TIAA to offer investment products under the ORP. For more information about the authorized companies or their products, including investment options, services and fees, you should review the information on this website, as well as contact a company representative.
Saving outside of your pension in one of the NC supplemental plans is an important step in being "retirement ready" - meaning you can replace at least 80% of your pre-retirement income. The NC 401(k) and NC 457 Plans and the NC 403(b) Program offer you a wide variety of tools designed to help you create a more secure retirement. Make the most of your Plan benefits.
For more information, please visit .
Deborah Rapetski
828.230.3655
deborah.rapetski@empower.com
Full-time faculty and staff members who are eligible for membership in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System or Optional Retirement Program are eligible to enroll in three (3) courses per academic year during Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, subject to approval by the employee's supervisor and Human Resources.
Ƶapp offers a Paid Parental Leave (PPL) benefit, effective as of January 1, 2020, and is designed to promote families’ physical and mental health, increase worker retention, and improve worker productivity and morale.
The Paid Parental Leave benefit provides eligible employees up to four weeks (160 hours) of paid parental leave to the birth parent for recuperation during the disability period for the birth of a child. The benefit also allows up to four weeks (160 hours) for both the birth and non-birth parent to care for and bond with an eligible child. Paid Parental leave will be pro-rated for eligible part-time employees. An employee’s eligibility for Paid Parental Leave is based upon the employee’s months of service and hours of work as of the date of the qualifying event. Employees are required to submit documentation of the birth, miscarriage or stillbirth, or placement. The initial certification form is required before the Qualifying Event (unless a birth comes unexpectedly, including events of a miscarriage or stillbirth), while documentation of the birth or placement will be required at a reasonable time after the Qualifying Event.
Paid holidays occurring during a full week of PPL count towards the employee’s PPL entitlement and do not extend the PPL period. Paid holidays occurring during a partial week of PPL do not count towards the employee’s PPL entitlement and do extend the PPL period unless the employee was otherwise scheduled and expected to work during the paid holiday.
Faculty who are covered under University Policy #89 (Serious Illness and Disability Leave for Faculty) are not covered under the new Paid Parental Leave policy.
In recognition of the state's diverse needs for volunteers to support schools, communities, citizens, and non-profit organizations the UNCW Community Service Leave is designed to recognize the commitment of state employees to engage in volunteer service, paid time up to 24 hours per year may be granted for:
Provides up to eight hours per year to eligible employees for a day of personal observance. This day of personal observance includes (but is not limited to) days of cultural or religious importance. The day used for Personal Observance Leave does not have to be a day from the employee’s own religious or cultural background.
Provides up to forty (40) hours of paid leave for bereavement following the death of an immediate family member. “Immediate family” follows the definition used in the sick leave policy, which includes, spouse, parent, child, grandparent or grandchild, siblings, and other dependents within the household.
Provides an additional eight (8) hours of paid leave for travel time to and from a funeral or other memorial event for the death of a colleague at the university.
Each new permanent staff employee attends an Employee Orientation Program which covers all benefit plans in detail. Enrollment requirements and procedures are provided at orientation. If you have questions, please contact:
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES & PAYROLL
302 HFR Administration Building
Cullowhee, NC 28723
828.227.7218
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER