Fully remote vs Fed job (need to decide today)

[Anonymous]

I accepted a fed position which was one day a week on site but now has been mandated to return 3 days a week. I am expected to join monday. I am having buyers remorse as I am fully remote now. I am able to take care of my kids and be there for them. One of my kid is high functioning autistic. Both me and my husband share household chores but its still a lot due to some of our unique situations. I am 47 yo and would like to retire before 60.

wwyd. Please help me decide. I am seriously considering taking my 2 week notice back I only have today to decide.

[Anonymous]

Why were you leaving?

[Anonymous]

I am very happy at my current job but I am a contractor so there are uncertainties I also felt that fed job would be a better option for retirement and stability and medical insurance after retirement.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know what’s right for you but in some ways 47 is a great time to join the feds. Work 10 years and you will get health benefits for life starting at 60 (and your spouse will to if they are on your insurance at least the last five years).

That (plus the small pension you will get) may make it a lot easier to retire at/before 60.

[Anonymous]

Take the job. Fed is barely work.

I say that as in private bosses come and go and rules change. We got a new CEO and he DGAF about personal stuff. He just wants work done. So although it is good now contact might not renew or client wants you back in office. With Fed you can milk it

[Anonymous]

I would take fed too, rescinding your acceptance could have negative consequences on your reputation as a contractor.

[Anonymous]

I am moving to a different agency, not going to be working for current agency I a contracting for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I would take fed too, rescinding your acceptance could have negative consequences on your reputation as a contractor.

Meh, only if this is the unit you're working with as a contractor. But, it could affect your ability to get a job with that agency again.

OP, personally I would value remote but I don't know what the stability of your current job is, especially after you gave notice. If I were 100% certain I could stay remote, and stay employed, I would stay put. But it's a gamble.

Also make sure you understand the Fed retirement system. You *can* retire before 60, but it affects your benefits. You may want to work to 67 and get 20 years.

[Anonymous]

I do not want to work until I am 67. I am currently a 1099 and make good hourly rate but lots of reorg so not sure of stability.

[Anonymous]

working remote is given untill the team is needed and contract gets renewed as they do not have space for us in office

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know what’s right for you but in some ways 47 is a great time to join the feds. Work 10 years and you will get health benefits for life starting at 60 (and your spouse will to if they are on your insurance at least the last five years).

That (plus the small pension you will get) may make it a lot easier to retire at/before 60.

+1 Take the fed job. I’m also 47 and a former fed. I’d like to get back in for the health insurance and possibility of retiring a little earlier.

I don’t know specifics about federal health insurance and a special needs child, but my guess is that there may be significant financial benefits having that child covered by a federal health insurance plan.

[Anonymous]

Take the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:working remote is given untill the team is needed and contract gets renewed as they do not have space for us in office

Is this OP? Keep in mind there's no guarantee that your company will get the new award.

[Anonymous]

+1 take the job.

Federal contractors change projects and leaders - the next project may not need you or may require you in a federal office all the time. And you get more expensive on contracts as you get older, and that's also a challenge.

[Anonymous]

How long is the commute to the fed job?