In 2010, 49 percent of Rhode Island's pension system for state employees was funded, according to Roll Call. Raimondo said that less money was being spent on such things as school buses and libraries because an increasing amount of tax revenue was going toward the pension system. As state treasurer, she proposed a plan to remove annual cost-of-living increases from pensions and to incorporate 401(k)s into plans for current employees, arguing that the changes were necessary to prevent the pension system from running out of money in 25 years. The legislature passed Raimondo's proposed changes in 2011. A group of retired state employees sued the state over the changes, and the state and retirees reached a settlement in 2015.

Main article: U.S. governors and their responses to Syrian refugees After the attacks in Paris, France, on November 13, 2015, many U.S. governors declared their support or opposition to Syrian refugee resettlement in their states. Raimondo expressed uncertainty on the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state of Rhode Island. She said: “ We haven't received any requests to assist the settlement of refugees from Syria, so there's nothing to decide at the moment. If a request is made, we will coordinate closely with the White House and with the State Police. Anything Rhode Island may do in the future to support our nation's efforts to respond to this humanitarian crisis and help those in need must include robust background checks and security procedures to keep Rhode Islanders safe. ” —Gov. Gina Raimondo