Click here to RSVP for the Lobby Day!

The legislature begins its Short Session on April 21, and after failing to pass a budget last year, lawmakers are expected to decide raises during this session. If state employees and retirees want raises and COLAs, this is the moment to show up.

Lawmakers need to hear directly from the people who keep North Carolina running every day that we can't wait another year for a budget. We need a strong turnout to ensure legislators understand that state employees and retirees need meaningful pay raises, retiree COLAs, strong health care and retirement benefits, and essential worker protections.

We will gather at the State Capitol Grounds at 9 a.m. and walk to the legislature. Members should provide their own transportation there. Carpooling is encouraged. We will provide lunch.

If you're able to attend, please click the button above and fill out our form to let us know. Then mark your calendar for May 6 and stand with SEANC at the General Assembly to make your voice heard!

__________

Two new boards are important to state employees, and retirees met this week.

The State Health Plan's Medical Policy Advisory Committee held its first meeting on Wednesday. The committee comprises 17 licensed physicians from a variety of specialties and areas across the state. It is charged with reviewing and reporting on recent medical advances applicable to the Plan’s current benefits, and recommending changes as needed.

The Board of Directors of the N.C. The Investment Authority, created by the General Assembly at the request of State Treasurer Brad Briner, met on Wednesday as well. The board voted to change how the retirement systems make investment decisions, along with a strategic asset allocation plan and performance benchmarks.

Briner said in a press release that the goal is to increase returns enough to support a future cost-of-living adjustment. “If the team increases historical returns by just 1% a year, the state will soon be able to increase retiree payouts through COLAs while at the same time reducing the annual pension contribution cost to the state budget,” he said.

__________

The N.C. Retirement Systems has changed its login system for its ORBIT member portal. NCRS now uses a streamlined, single sign-on (SSO) login powered by ID.me — a trusted digital identity platform used by federal and state agencies nationwide.

Many members may already have an ID.me account to log in to Social Security or the IRS. Members have experienced issues with enrollment, forgotten usernames and passwords, and verification questions in the past. This solution makes the process easier and more secure.

If you need help, visit help.myncretirement.gov. Click ORBIT Login with ID.me on the right side of the top navigation.