Retirement and Savings

The ECU Health retirement program (our Partnership Savings Plan) consists of a pre-tax 401(K) plan, a Roth 401(k) plan, as well as an unmatched after-tax plan where you can save for retirement.

All new hires and first time eligible team members hired on or after 1/1/2010 are automatically enrolled in the Fidelity 401(k) Partnership Savings Plan in the pre-tax 401(k) at 5% of your earnings after 30 days, or as soon as administratively practical. If you wish to start saving sooner, or change the amount, you may do so by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860 or by going online to nb.fidelity.com.

Other important information about the 401(k) plan

• Effective Jan. 1, 2025, all newly hired team members will be subject to a three-year vesting schedule.
• Team members hired on or after Jan. 1, 2025, will be vested in their 401(k) Partnership Savings Plan after three years of service.
• Team members who leave the organization prior to three years of service will not receive the employer matching contributions — only team member contributions will be distributed.
• Employer matching contribution will begin upon participation.
• Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the IRS maximum contribution limits to the 401(k) Partnership Savings Plan are as follows: 
  • Team member contribution limit is $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025) 
  • Catch-up contribution limit for team members age 50+ is $8,000 (up from $7,500 in 2025)  
• Under the SECURE Act 2.0, those age 50 and over who earn $150,000 or more annually must make catch-up contributions to their 401(k)s on a Roth basis.
• The graduated match plan for non-pension-eligible team members is as follows:

* ECU Health will match up to the first 5% of a team member’s compensation contributed to the plan.

To speak directly with a Fidelity representative, please contact:
Michael C. Kitto, CRPC®
Dedicated Retirement Planner
Personal and Workplace Investing
Email    [email protected]
To reserve an appointment, please call 1-800-642-7131 or register online.
Watch this video to help you make an online appointment.

View the Fidelity Enrollment Guide

Non-Benefit Eligible Team Members

You may have the opportunity to contribute to the 401(k) partnership savings plan. If you wish to participate, you will need to contact Fidelity to enroll or make any changes. You won’t be eligible for any company match contributions. Contract team members are not eligible for the plan.

Non-Benefit Eligible Team Member Enrollment Guide

ECU Health offers eligible team members and providers the opportunity to participate in a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. This plan allows you to set aside retirement savings on a pre-tax basis and provides tax-efficient growth of your retirement savings.

The 2026 IRS contribution limit is $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025). If you are over age 50, you can invest an additional $8,000 (up from $7,500 in 2025)  through the catchup provision. Pre-tax contributions to your 457(b) are deducted from your paycheck, which lowers your overall tax burden today. At retirement, you will pay income taxes on the withdrawals.

If you are enrolled in the plan and need additional assistance, call 252-816-7446 or visit ECU Health Service Center.

Other important information about the 457(b) plan

Under the SECURE Act 2.0, those age 50 and over who earn $150,000 or more annually must make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis.

The Pension Plan is part of your overall retirement package, designed to provide you with a monthly income when you retire. As you look forward to retirement, keep in mind that your retirement income may consist of four parts: your benefit from this Plan, your benefit from other plans, such as 401(k) and/or 403(b) plans, Social Security, and the savings you have accumulated through the years.

If you are enrolled in the plan and need assistance, please call 866-261-3573.

Click here to visit the Pension Portal myECUHealthpension.com.

View the NC 529 Brochure.

The Holiday Savings Account is a Savings Account through Southern Bank. Funds are direct deposited through payroll deduction into the account, and it is paid out annually in a lump sum in December. In order to participate in the Holiday Savings account, you must first set up an account with Southern Bank. For more information or to get answers to your questions, contact Payroll at 252-847-5747.