As a retiree, you can view your elected beneficiary(ies), if applicable, in your ORBIT account:  

• Log in to your ORBIT account
• Select the account in which you would like to view  
• Click “View Beneficiaries” in the left navigation  
• You will be able to view beneficiary designations, if applicable, for  
  • Guaranteed Refund  
  • Contributory Death Benefit (CDB)  
  • Monthly Survivor Benefit  

If something happens to you, the payout of your NC pension plan, NC 401(k) and/or NC 457 Plans and any other benefit is governed by the beneficiary designation on file with each different plan provider. In most cases, payouts are not made based on the relationship to the deceased member at the time of death. 

At retirement you will have the opportunity to select beneficiaries for several retirement benefits.

If you have a retirement date on or before Dec. 1, 2023
If you select a Survivor Beneficiary for your retirement benefit (Option 2, 3, 6-2 or 6-3), you cannot change your selected payment option (or the beneficiary you designate for this option) once you cash your first retirement check or after the 25th of the month following the month your first check is mailed (whichever is earlier) except under one of the following two conditions:

• If you select an option that provides a monthly benefit to your spouse as a beneficiary after your death (Option 2, 3, 6-2 or 6-3) and later become divorced from that spouse, or
• If you are rehired in a position covered by the same system from which you retired and contribute to your new account for at least three years. 

If you have a retirement date on or after Jan. 1, 2024
If you select a Survivor Beneficiary for your retirement benefit (Option 2, 3, 6-2 or 6-3), you cannot change your selected payment option (or the beneficiary you designate for this option) after the first regular payday or first recorded payment (whichever is later) except under one of the following two conditions:

• If you select an option that provides a monthly benefit to your spouse as a beneficiary after your death (Option 2, 3, 6-2 or 6-3) and later become divorced from that spouse, or
• If you are rehired in a position covered by the same system from which you retired and contribute to your new account for at least three years. 

For more information about the different retirement benefit payment options, see the Retirement Benefit Payment Options page. 

Redesignations must be requested within 90 days of remarriage and the election must be filed with RSD no later than 120 days after remarriage.  

The North Carolina Retirement Systems encourages all retirees to do an annual check-up of their beneficiaries on accounts and benefits outside of the retirement systems. 

As a beneficiary, you have access to a secure ORBIT account. If you have not previously been a member of the North Carolina Retirement Systems, you will need to register for an ORBIT account.  Go to ORBIT and follow the steps to Register.  Once your account is established, you can:  

• view your benefit information
• maintain your personal information 
• Update username and password  
• Update and add home, work and mobile phone numbers  
• Add your personal email address  
• Maintain your security question  
• And update your mailing address  
• Update direct deposit information  
• Maintain tax withholding elections 
•  View important tax documents  
• Elect to receive important documents electronically 
• Request Verification of Income letters  
• View payment history  
• Reach a Counselor  

If you are a beneficiary who is a current or former member of the North Carolina Retirement Systems, or a retiree of NCRS, you will see a new benefit account on the landing page of your ORBIT account.

Log in to your ORBIT Account here.