Public equities drove much of the gain, up nearly 22% for the year. The fund’s one-year return before fees, 12.7%, is now close to the average among the state’s large public pension peers.
So it’s a fair question for retirees to ask: if the fund is performing this well, why hasn’t that translated into a real cost-of-living adjustment? SEANC has an in-depth look at the factors that go into a decision on COLAs on our Retiree Resources page.
The same meeting carried a warning about the other program many retirees count on. According to a new report from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Social Security’s trust funds are projected to run out in six years, meaning a 22% cut unless Congress acts.
Briner told reporters after the meeting that no state pension increase could make up for a cut that size, and that he doesn’t expect Congress to let it happen, but for retirees who lean heavily on Social Security rather than a pension or personal savings, that uncertainty is worth watching closely.
UNC Health’s new nurse scheduling scheme causes friction
UNC Health is rolling out a new “BidShift” system that forces nurses to compete for extra nursing shifts, which lowers the premium pay, and it’s causing a stir nationally.
SEANC moved quickly this week to defend the UNC Hospital nurses in our membership. Executive Director Ardis Watkins sent a letter to UNC Health CEO Dr. Cristy Page opposing the plan and asking UNC to pause it. Our message was clear: a nurse’s pay for a shift should not shrink the closer that shift gets, and no state employee’s earnings should be decided by a race to the bottom.
We also reminded UNC that, having just been named a preferred provider for the State Health Plan, it now serves and employs many of the same North Carolinians — and should be the last to squeeze the pay of its own frontline caregivers.
If you are a UNC Hospitals nurse whose shifts or pay are touched by BidShift, email us and tell us your story.
Rep. Ross warns new ICE facility could hurt state prisons
U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross is asking Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to reconsider opening an immigration detention facility at the former Rivers Correctional Institution in Hertford County. Ross questioned whether conditions there will meet even basic safety standards.
Her biggest concern for SEANC members: North Carolina already ranks last in the nation for correctional officer pay, and a state Department of Adult Correction official told Ross the new facility is likely to offer higher salaries that could pull current and prospective state prison workers away. Ross’s letter also warned that a rural county of fewer than 24,000 residents will be leaned on to support the facility’s law enforcement, infrastructure and emergency response needs. As she put it, “That is a bad deal for North Carolina.”
Wake schools face budget gap after larger-than-expected state teacher raises
Wake County Public Schools built its 2026-27 budget assuming a 3% state raise for teachers. The actual state budget delivered raises averaging 8%, with new teachers seeing increases up to 17%. That leaves Wake with a $17.6 million shortfall to cover positions the district funds locally, since the state only pays for raises on state-funded jobs. The school board is weighing cuts, with a decision expected as soon as Aug. 18.
House gives approval to state budget’s technical corrections bill
The N.C. House gave near-final approval to House Bill 268, which fixes errors in the new state budget but also adds up to $65 million for sporting events like the Military World Games and the Wyndham Championship, along with contested provisions shifting power away from Gov. Josh Stein and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.
