Skip to main content
HR and Campus Announcements

2021 Legislative Salary Increase and Bonuses

The Appropriations Act of 2021 provides compensation increases for eligible employees subject to the North Carolina State Human Resources Act (SHRA) and employees who are exempt from the act (EHRA).

2.5% Legislative Salary Increase (LSI)

  • Permanent EHRA and SHRA employees (including probationary and time-limited employees) will receive a 2.5% legislative salary increase (LSI) in their January 2022 paychecks, subject to the eligibility requirements below.
  • The 2.5% LSI is retroactively effective July 1, 2021.
  • The 2.5% LSI will be calculated on each employee’s June 30, 2021, base salary. For example, an employee earning a base salary of $50,000 on June 30, 2021, will have a new base salary of $51,250 ($50,000 x 1.025 = $51,250).
  • For employees with a primary EHRA non-faculty appointment who receive an ongoing administrative supplement directly related to that role, “base” salary includes the administrative supplement (e.g., academic department heads and associate deans). Employees with a primary faculty appointment who have a secondary administrative appointment (e.g., directors of graduate programs) are not eligible to have their supplement included in the 2.5% calculation.
  • SHRA longevity payments and premium pay, overtime pay, etc. earned between July 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021, will be recalculated to include the LSI, and the difference will be included in January 2022 paychecks.
  • The LSI is applied as a flat amount on top of any other base salary increase effective July 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021.

LSI Eligibility Requirements

  • To be eligible for the retroactive LSI payment for July 1-Dec. 31, 2021, the employee must have been employed in a permanent benefits-eligible position of .50 FTE or greater on both June 30, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021.
  • “Permanent” employees are those eligible to participate in State benefits programs (e.g., the state employee health plan) and who hold a recurring appointment of .50 FTE or greater.
  • Employees who separated prior to Dec. 31, 2021, are not eligible for the retroactive payment.
  • Employees who were employed in a permanent position on both June 30, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021, but who were not employed on a continuous basis between those two dates shall receive a prorated retroactive payment.
  • NC State will be responsible for the retroactive payment for employees who transferred to NC State from a permanent position at another state entity eligible for the LSI.
  • Employees currently on disability or who are on a leave of absence (paid or unpaid) may be eligible for the LSI upon their return if they satisfy all other eligibility requirements.
  • The LSI will be awarded regardless of current performance ratings.
  • Faculty members who entered the Phased Retirement Program on July 1, 2021, are not eligible to receive the LSI. Faculty in their second or third year of the program are eligible for the LSI if they meet other eligibility criteria.
  • Postdocs, house officers, grad students and temporary employees are not eligible for the LSI.

LSI Funding/Budget Distribution

Funding will be provided at the detail project level to colleges/units for the 2.5% LSI for positions funded by state-appropriated funds (projects between 201000 and 249999, except 202xxx and 203xxx) as of July 1, 2021. This funding distribution will be based on the latest employee distribution row that is effective dated July 1, 2021, as identified by the University Budget Office in late January after the January 2022 payroll has been processed. Note that the UNC System should allocate the state-appropriated funds to NC State to cover the LSI. We anticipate allocating those funds to campus in February 2022. However, the timing will depend on when we receive the funds from the UNC System.

The 2.5% LSI, including the retroactive LSI payment for Jul. 1, 2021 – Dec. 31, 2021, will be paid in January 2022 following the most current effective dated distribution row for the employee. Note that distribution changes may be processed through 5 pm, Tuesday, Jan. 18th, to apply to the January payment.

Legislative bonuses for permanent EHRA and SHRA employees (including probationary and time-limited employees) employed on December 1, 2021

  • A $1000 one-time legislative bonus for eligible employees, prorated based on FTE, was included in the December 2021 paycheck. FTE proration example: An employee who is .75 FTE is routinely scheduled to work 30 hours per workweek. Their bonus would be prorated to $750 ($1000 x .75 = $750).
  • A $500 one-time legislative bonus for eligible employees earning $75,000 or less (on a full-time 1.0 FTE basis) or who work as law enforcement officers
    • The $500 bonus will be prorated for part-time employees at less than 1.0 FTE. FTE proration example: An employee who is .75 FTE is routinely scheduled to work 30 hours per workweek. Their bonus would be prorated to $375 ($500 x .75 = $375).
    • The $500 legislative bonus was included in the December 2021 paycheck.
  • “Permanent” employees are those eligible to participate in State benefits programs (e.g., the state employee health plan) and who hold a recurring appointment of .50 FTE or greater. 
  • These bonuses are not considered compensation for any retirement plans administered by the State.
  • Faculty in their first year of the Phased Retirement Program are not eligible to receive either bonus. Participants in their 2nd and 3rd years of Phased Retirement are eligible for the bonuses if they meet the other eligibility criteria.
  • Employees currently on disability or on a leave of absence (paid or unpaid) may be eligible for the bonuses upon their return to work if they satisfy all other criteria.
  • Postdocs, house officers, grad students and temporary employees are not eligible to receive either bonus.
  • To view your December paycheck, log in to MyPack Portal ⇒ Paycheck ⇒ click on the check date 12/20/2021. The “Compensation Bonus” in the Hours and Earnings section of your paycheck will include the amount you received for any of the applicable, one-time legislatives bonuses.