NORTH CAROLINA TEACHERS: Is a Fully Funded Retirement on the Horizon?

If you’re a North Carolina teacher, you’ve probably asked yourself: Am I truly ready to retire—or just hoping it’ll work out?

During our latest Retirement Ready Live, we tackled that exact question—and the results surprised a lot of teachers. Many found they were closer to a fully funded retirement than they thought… while others discovered a few hidden gaps that could cost thousands over time.

The Real Challenges NC Teachers Face

1️⃣ Early Retirement Reductions: Leaving too soon could reduce your lifetime pension by 10–20%.
2️⃣ Healthcare Gaps: Retiring before Medicare means covering your own health costs for years.
3️⃣ Inflation & Longevity: Living longer means your savings need to last longer—and grow with inflation.
4️⃣ Underused Savings Plans: Many educators overlook how a 403(b) or 457 can bridge the gap between pension and expenses.

The 5-Minute Retirement Confidence Quiz

During the session, we walked teachers through a simple quiz to gauge retirement readiness.
Questions like:

• Have you verified your official pension estimate?
  
  

• Do you know your healthcare costs after you retire?
  
  

• Can your current income plan last 25+ years?
  
  

If you answered “yes” to most, you’re on track. If not, there’s still time to adjust before it’s too late.

Why Small Changes Matter

Even small shifts can make a huge difference. One teacher, Mrs. Ellis, learned she was just 16 months away from a higher benefit tier—worth an extra $280 a month for life.
Those are the kinds of insights that can turn an uncertain retirement into a confident one.

Watch the Full Retirement Ready Session

🎥 Catch the full Retirement Ready episode here:

You’ve spent your career helping others succeed—now it’s time to make sure your retirement does the same for you.