Retirement Rates and Limit Details
Disclaimer: Rates/Limits provided below are based on information received from the following sources and are subject to change:
Retirement Rates
Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System
Employee contribution rate: 6% of eligible earnings
Employer contribution rates below:
| Benefit | Percentage |
Pension Accumulation Fund (Includes .01% Qualified Excess Benefit) | 17.14% |
| Death Benefit Trust Fund | 0.13% |
| Retiree Health Plan Reserves | 7.33% |
| Disability Income Plan | 0.07% |
| Total Employer Contribution | 24.67% |
TSERS for Law Enforcement Officers
Employee contribution rate: 6% of eligible earnings
Employer contribution rates below:
| Benefit | Percentage |
Pension Accumulation Fund (Includes .01% Qualified Excess Benefit) | 17.79% |
| Death Benefit Trust Fund | 0.13% |
| Retiree Health Plan Reserves | 7.33% |
| Disability Income Plan | 0.07% |
| State 401(k) | 5.00% |
| Total Employer Contribution | 29.67% |
UNC Optional Retirement Program
Employee contribution rate: 6% of eligible earnings
Employer contribution rates below:
| Benefit | Percentage |
| ORP Employer Contribution | 6.84% |
| (Retiree Health Plan Reserves 7.33% & Disability Income Plan .07%) | 7.40% |
| Total Employer Contribution | 14.24% |
Retirement Plan Limits
Social Security Base Rate: $176,100 (2025), $184,500( 2026)
| IRS Contribution and Benefit Limit | Plan | 2025 | 2026 |
| Annual Compensation Limit – 401(a) (17) | TSERS- hired on or after January 1, 1996 | $350,000 | $360,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit – 401(a) (17) | TSERS – hired prior to January 1, 1996 | $520,000 | $535,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit – 401(a) (17) | ORP – hired on or after July 1, 1996 | $350,000 | $360,000 |
| Annual Compensation Limit – 401(a) (17) | ORP – hired prior to July 1, 1996 | $520,000 | $535,000 |
| Elective Deferrals – 402(g) (1) | 401(k) and 403(b) | $23,500 | $24,500 |
| Elective Deferrals – 457(e) (15) | 457(b) | $23,000 | $24,500 |
| Catch-up Contributions – 401(v)(2)(B)(i) | 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) | $7,500 | $8,000 |
| Defined Contribution Limits – 415(c)(1)(A) | Apply separately to ORP and 403(b) plan | $70,000 | $72,000 |
New 2025: Super Catch-up Contributions for Age 60-63 (State 401k and 457 plans with Empower only)