North Carolina Retirement Systems Board Sets 2027 Employer Contribution Rates

Key changes include new policies to allow cost-of-living adjustments for retirees and increased pension benefits for National Guard members.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:31pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The North Carolina Retirement Systems (NCRS) Board of Trustees met on January 29, 2026 to modify employer contribution rates for 2027, a crucial step in funding the state's public employee pension plans. The board voted to change policies to make it easier to provide cost-of-living adjustments to retirees, and also recommended increasing monthly pension benefits for National Guard members.

Why it matters

Maintaining adequate funding levels for public employee retirement obligations is critical for the state to meet its pension commitments. The board's decisions on contribution rates and policies around cost-of-living adjustments will impact the financial security of thousands of teachers, state workers, and National Guard members across North Carolina.

The details

The NCRS Board of Trustees considered proposed rates for both the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) and the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System (LGERS). They voted to modify policies to allow the trustees to decide on a year-to-year basis whether to recommend that lawmakers approve cost-of-living adjustments for the TSERS. The board also recommended increasing the National Guard Pension Fund's monthly benefits from $105 to $110 for 20 years of service, and from $210 to $220 for 30 years of service.

  • The NCRS Board of Trustees met on January 29, 2026.
  • The policy changes will be effective in the fiscal year beginning in 2027.

The players

North Carolina Retirement Systems (NCRS) Board of Trustees

The governing body responsible for overseeing the state's public employee pension plans.

Kevin SigRist

Chief investment officer for the North Carolina Investment Authority, who provided an investment update to the board.

ID.me

A new secure login platform that will go live on February 1 for NCRS.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The NCRS Board of Trustees' recommendations will now go to the North Carolina General Assembly for consideration and approval.

The takeaway

The NCRS Board's decisions on contribution rates, cost-of-living adjustments, and pension benefits aim to ensure the long-term financial stability of the state's public employee retirement systems and provide greater security for teachers, state workers, and National Guard members across North Carolina.