N.C. Gen. Stat. § 147-9.3
Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 143B-426.40A and notwithstanding any provision of law relating to salaries or salary schedules of State employees, if the employee be one described in section 403(b)(1)(A)(i) or (ii) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, the chief executive officer of such employee, on behalf of the employer, may enter into an annual contract with the employee which provides for a reduction in salary below the total established compensation or salary schedule for a term of one year. The chief executive officer shall use the funds derived from the reduction in the salary of the employee to purchase a nonforfeitable annuity or retirement income contract for the benefit of said employee. An employee who has agreed to a salary reduction for this purpose shall not have the right to receive the amount of salary reduction in cash or in any other way except the annuity or retirement income contract. Funds used for the purchase of an annuity or retirement income contract shall not be in lieu of any amount earned by the employee before his election for a salary reduction has become effective. The agreement for salary reduction referred to herein shall be effective under the necessary regulations and procedures adopted by the chief executive officer and on forms prescribed by him. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amount by which the salary of an employee is reduced pursuant to this section shall not be excluded, but shall be included, in computing and making payroll deductions for social security and retirement system purposes, if any, and in computing and providing matching funds for retirement system purposes, if any.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 147-9.3