In this episode, we interview Sam Watts, executive director of the state retirement system, about a recent board vote and what it could mean for cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees.

Sam explains the system’s funding history, the role of employer and employee contributions, how past policy choices created unfunded liabilities, and the board’s proposal to use investment gains above a 6.5% threshold to help fund future COLAs — possibly as early as 2027.

The conversation breaks down complex policy choices, timelines, and trade-offs for retirees, employers, and the General Assembly.

The SEANC team discusses the recent winter storm and recognizes essential state workers who kept services running. We also address the Retirement System board meeting and the push for a COLA amid growing unfunded liability, staffing shortfalls that threaten SNAP funding and other services, UNC Chapel Hill administrative cuts, a reminder about early voting, and other local and cultural updates.

Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sammy Cline discuss an approaching Arctic storm, personal memories of snow, and practical safety advice while thanking essential state workers who keep roads, hospitals, and prisons running during extreme weather.

The episode pivots to a deep dive on the state employee vacancy crisis and the DAVE Report on lapsed salary funds: how frozen positions, underfunding, and turnover harm services from DMV to prisons and universities, and why lawmakers should act.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety Deputy Secretary William “Billy” Lassiter explains how the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention serves youth through court counseling, community programs, detention centers, and youth development facilities, while addressing complex needs such as mental health and educational deficits.

He details urgent challenges — roughly 40% facility vacancy rates, rising youth involvement with firearms, reliance on lapsed salary funds for staffing and safety campaigns, and the need for consistent funding to keep youth safe and on track to rejoin their communities.

This episode examines a report from State Auditor Dave Boliek on over $1 billion in lapsed salary dollars and the vacancy crisis facing North Carolina agencies, with discussion about potential job cuts, recruitment, and the impact on public services.

Guest Junior Hulen, statewide chairman of EMPAC, explains how employees can get involved politically, how endorsements and interviews are decided, the plan for boots-on-the-ground organizing in 2026, and the importance of engaging younger and bipartisan members to protect state workers and services.

In this first episode of 2026, we are joined by SEANC president Wendell Powell for a conversation about what 2026 holds for state employees and retirees: rising health premiums, stalled COLAs for retirees, staffing shortages in prisons and other agencies, and strategies for political engagement and member advocacy.

On this year-end episode of the SEANC View podcast, the hosts recap five top state stories from 2025: leadership changes in Raleigh, government efficiency efforts, ongoing recovery after Hurricane Helene, steep state health-plan premium increases, and the failure to pass a state budget with no raises or COLAs.

The conversation examines how these issues impact state employees and communities, the roles of contracts and transparency in driving up costs, and what to expect as policymakers enter the short session and the new year.

The SEANC View podcast addresses listener questions on state employee and retiree concerns, including the absent budget, the loss of retirement health insurance for hires after 2021, early December pay changes, and the $3.3 billion surplus. We discuss staffing and retention issues, why COLAs aren’t being issued despite strong investment returns, the role of EMPAC endorsements, Aetna vs. Blue Cross transitions, and potential future coverage for GLP-1 drugs. Plus: a light-hearted round on favorite Christmas songs.

This week, we explore the State Employees' Credit Union's special program for state employees, offering up to $1,000 at a fixed 5% interest rate with up to six months to repay, created to bridge the gap caused by the December pay schedule change.

We also highlight related SECU benefits, including a 90-day first payment grace period on qualifying auto loans, a 0.5% rate discount for state employees and retirees, holiday and summer savings accounts, rental housing options through SECURE, and first-time homebuyer assistance.

State Treasurer Brad Briner stated this week that State Health Plan premiums will likely increase again in 2027 for state employees and retirees. In this episode, we discuss the need for true transparency in hospital pricing to control costs.

We also cover $14 billion in pension gains, but no COLA for retirees, the 2026 election filing window, and SEANC's political engagement. We then close with a light segment on Spotify Wrapped and memories of the K&W Cafeteria.