Frequently Asked Questions
1. I am about to retire. When will I receive a information to elect
supplemental insurance and enroll?
You will be eligible to enroll once you have receive your first retirement benefit payment. An enrollment packet will be
mailed to you after you have received your first benefit payment. You do not have to wait for your enrollment packet to
enroll. Call 1-855-627-3847 to enroll or ask questions.
2. What supplemental benefits are offered through pension deduction?
Accident, Life, Dental and Vision programs are offered.
3. Is there an association fee that needs to be paid to enroll?
These programs are offered to benefit recipients through the North Carolina Retirement Systems. You do not need to be a
member of an association or pay fees to enroll.
4. Who is eligible to enroll in our plans and who is not eligible?
Benefit recipients (including retirees and members receiving a disability retirement and their dependents (up to age 26),
in the retirement systems below. Handicapped children of benefit recipients are eligible for dental and vision insurance
regardless of age. As a surviving spouse, you must enroll in the plan through the normal enrollment process.
a) Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement Systems (TSERS) members – who worked for State agencies, community
colleges, public universities, local K-12 school systems, and some charter schools
b) Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement Systems (LGERS) members – who worked for towns, cities, counties,
municipal departments (such as fire, law enforcement, rescue and EMS), boards of alcohol control, libraries, authorities (such
as housing, airport, and water and sewer), and other separate, local governmental entities
c) Consolidated Judicial Retirement System (CJRS) members
d) Legislative Retirement System (LRS) members
e) Members receiving a long-term disability benefit through the Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC)
5. Members not eligible to enroll in retiree supplemental insurance plans are:
a) Active members from North Carolina Retirement Systems
b) Members receiving short-term, preliminary long-term or extended short-term disability benefits through DIPNC
Frequently Asked Questions (continued)
6. How are the monthly premiums collected?
The monthly premiums for the program are deducted from your retirement pay. If a deduction is not available you can be
direct billed monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, or pay by bank draft.
7. Is there a waiting period?
There is no waiting period. You will have 100% use of your benefit once your coverage has become effective. Your effective
date is the first of the month following your pension deduction for the premium from your retirement pay.
8. If I miss the open enrollment how can I make changes to my benefits?
Changes to your benefits can only be made outside the open enrollment period if you have a “qualifying event”.
9. How do I update my mailing address and e-mail address to receive open
enrollment materials each fall??
There are two ways to update your mailing address:
1) Send a written request to change your address to the North Carolina Retirement Systems. The address is:
North Carolina Department of State Treasurer
North Carolina Retirement Systems
325 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1385
2) Update your address through ORBIT, accessible at www.myncretirement.com. Click on the “ORBIT” button. You will
be directed to the log-in page to register, or log-in if you’ve already registered.
10. How do I notify Pierce Insurance when my dependents are no longer
eligible?
Members must notify Pierce Insurance by mail , email ([email protected]) or fax advising which dependents no longer
qualify.
Pierce Insurance Agency
Attn: NCRS
PO Box 727
Farmville, NC 27828
Fax: 1-252-753-5941
Frequently Asked Questions (continued)
11. What are the “qualifying life events” for benefit recipients to change
supplemental benefit coverage?
The following events may affect supplemental insurance and/or State Health Plan eligibility, but, except for death, typically
do not affect monthly retirement benefits or the $10,000 Contributory Death Benefit coverage:
a) You change your legal marital status, which includes marriage, death of spouse, divorce, legal separation, or annulment.
b) Your dependents change due to birth, adoption, placement for adoption, or death of the dependent.
c) You, your spouse, or your dependents terminate or commence employment.
d) You, your spouse, or your dependents reduce or increase their hours of employment.
e) Your dependents cease or commence to satisfy the requirements for coverage due to attainment of age or attainment or loss
of their own employer-sponsored health care coverage.
f) You, your spouse, or your dependents commence or return from an unpaid leave of absence such as Family and Medical
Leave or military leave.
g) You receive a court order to provide coverage for your children.
12. How do I get in touch with Pierce Insurance Agency?
Phone: 1-855-627-3847 Fax: 1-252-753-5941
Email address: [email protected]
Mailing address:
Pierce Insurance Agency
Attn: NCRS
PO Box 727
Farmville, NC 27828
Websites: NC Retirees: www.ncretiree.com and for additional information: www.pierceins.com