Are North Carolina TEACHERS Unwittingly Handing Over Their Retirement?

Most North Carolina teachers assume that TSERS—the Teachers' and State Employees’ Retirement System—handles everything automatically. You contribute, the system grows, and one day you get your pension.

But here’s the truth many teachers discover too late:
👉 TSERS gives you benefits… but not control.

Why TSERS Isn’t the Whole Story

Yes, TSERS provides a guaranteed pension.
But it also brings limitations:

• You don’t choose the investments.
• You can’t adjust the plan to fit your goals.
• And most importantly… TSERS won’t update your beneficiary for you.

That last part? It’s a silent trap.

The Risk Teachers Don’t See Coming

Life changes—marriage, divorce, kids—and your TSERS beneficiary form doesn’t follow along. If it’s out of date, your pension might go to the wrong person.

It happens more often than most teachers think.

How Teachers Can Take Back Control

This is where supplemental accounts like 403(b)s and 457 plans come in. They offer:

✔️ Investment control
✔️ Contribution flexibility
✔️ Long-term growth
✔️ Easy beneficiary updates

You’re no longer relying on one system—you’re building a retirement plan around your life.

A Real Example

A North Carolina teacher came to me after 18 years in the classroom. She assumed everything was set—until we discovered her ex-partner was still listed on her TSERS paperwork.

We fixed it in minutes.

Then she opened a 457 plan and started contributing a small amount monthly. Over time, those contributions grew into a six-figure account that she fully controlled.

One review. One decision. Total peace of mind.

Watch the Full Breakdown

If you missed the Retirement Ready live session on this topic, you can watch the full replay here:
👉 Watch the Replay on YouTube

Final Thoughts

TSERS is a powerful tool—but it shouldn’t be your only strategy. When teachers add supplemental accounts and keep beneficiaries updated, they regain control over their future.

Your retirement shouldn’t be left to chance. And with a few simple steps, it won’t be.

📌 Next Step:
Let’s take a closer look at your retirement plan together.
👉https://bit.ly/4440F9l