Do North Carolina TEACHERS Hold the Key to Their Retirement Funds?

When it comes to retirement planning, most North Carolina teachers believe that their pension through TSERS—the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System—has them covered. After all, you’re automatically enrolled, contributions come out of your paycheck, and one day you’ll receive a pension.

But here’s the question that too many teachers overlook:
👉 Are you really in control of your retirement—or is the system in control of you?

What You Need to Know About TSERS

TSERS provides a guaranteed pension, which is an incredible benefit compared to what many private sector workers receive. However, it also comes with serious limitations:

• You don’t control how your money is invested.
  
  

• You can’t customize the plan to your unique retirement goals.
  
  

• And perhaps most importantly, many teachers forget to update their beneficiary information.
  
  

That last point is critical. Life changes—marriage, divorce, children—but TSERS does not automatically update your records. If your paperwork is out of date, your pension could go to the wrong person.

A Hidden Risk That Could Cost You Everything

Imagine this: you’ve worked 25–30 years in education, building your pension. But because you never updated your beneficiary, your benefits go to an ex-spouse or even a distant relative you’ve lost contact with.

It happens more often than you think.

That’s why reviewing your TSERS paperwork regularly—and especially after any major life event—is one of the most important retirement steps you can take.

Taking Back Control With Supplemental Accounts

While TSERS is a strong foundation, most teachers find it won’t be enough to fully fund the retirement lifestyle they want.

That’s where supplemental retirement accounts come in—like a 403(b) or 457 plan. These accounts give you:

• Control: You choose where and how your money is invested.
  
  

• Flexibility: Adjust contributions as your budget allows.
  
  

• Growth potential: Even modest contributions can grow significantly over time.
  
  

• Legacy: You decide who inherits these accounts, and you can update it anytime.
  
  

A Real-Life Teacher Story

I recently worked with a North Carolina teacher who had been in the classroom for over 20 years. She assumed everything was fine with her retirement, until we checked her TSERS paperwork and discovered her parents were still listed as her beneficiaries.

She was married with two children. If something had happened, her pension would have completely bypassed her family.

Here’s what she did:

1. Updated her TSERS beneficiary to include her husband and kids.
   
   

2. Opened a 403(b) with just $100/month contributions.
   
   

3. Gradually increased her savings over time.
   
   

Fast forward a few years—she had saved over $150,000 in her 403(b), all under her control, with her chosen beneficiaries listed. That gave her peace of mind, flexibility, and confidence in her financial future.

Watch the Retirement Ready Replay

We covered this—and much more—in the latest episode of Retirement Ready. If you missed the live session, you can catch the replay here:

👉 Watch the Replay on YouTube

Final Thoughts

So, do North Carolina teachers really hold the key to their retirement funds?

The honest answer is: not entirely. TSERS is a solid start, but it’s limited. By keeping your beneficiary paperwork updated and adding supplemental accounts like a 403(b) or 457, you can take back control and secure the retirement you deserve.

Remember, retirement planning isn’t just about money—it’s about peace of mind and making sure the people you care about are protected.

📌 Next Step for You
If you’re ready to take a closer look at your own retirement plan, I’d love to help. Schedule a complimentary 15-minute conversation with me today:
👉 https://bit.ly/4440F9l