After years of lower-risk investments, state legislators once again want to gamble state pension funds on risky investments.

A bill filed in the House would allow the State Treasurer to invest as much as 10% of the $129 billion pension system in virtual currency such as Bitcoin, which is often more volatile than traditional investments like mutual funds.

Also this week, the Senate passed a bill to cap the mandates insurance companies must cover. SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins told WRAL that the legislation does nothing to tackle the real problem with the State Health Plan since contracts would remain secret.

"We earned the distinction of being the most expensive state in the country for healthcare by allowing the industry to overcharge, not by being overly generous with care," Watkins said.

State Treasurer Brad Briner visited SEANC's Retiree Council meeting this week to discuss the pension system and State Health Plan. Afterward, SEANC Retiree Council Jamie Robinson and Membership Chairman Cliff Johnson join this week's episode of the SEANC View Podcast to discuss Briner's visit, the State Health Plan, Bitcoin, and more.

Listen to The SEANC View Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or Podbean.