VERA in this job market?

[Anonymous]

Need the collective wisdom of this group - I had been seriously considering VERA and now all this news about the job market getting even more competitive and added stress of tariffs has me a bit spooked. If I don’t go now, I would need to wait five years to hit MRA. Feels like a risk either way. Used to love my job, but everything has changed. Have about six months in savings to hold us over (husband’s job is about 50% secure). Feels like a now or never moment and I am struggling with what to do.

[Anonymous]

How much of your expenses would VERA cover? I think an ongoing paycheck would let me take a lower paying (perhaps less competitive) job to make up the difference.

[Anonymous]

The big draw of VERA would be the health insurance, which would allow me more flex with the job search. Annuity after everything is taken out would be $2000 or so, which is not nothing, a fraction of my current take home pay.

[Anonymous]

I decided not to VERA because the job market is not very good and I am not open to leaving the DC area. It is miserable to be a federal employee right now.

[Anonymous]

If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

Most people eligible for VERA are likely roles that can be F’d.

[Anonymous]

OP here - in an SES position, so no Schedule F but they can basically already do whatever they like with us. Having a hard time imagining five more years in this environment, hence the appeal of VERA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - in an SES position, so no Schedule F but they can basically already do whatever they like with us. Having a hard time imagining five more years in this environment, hence the appeal of VERA.

I would absolutely expect to be replaced, your job is gonna go to some political as part of the spoil system

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

How do you know you won’t be Schedule F?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

How do you know you won’t be Schedule F?

Is this administration honoring DSR? Have any of the feds fired so far getting DSR?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

How do you know you won’t be Schedule F?

Is this administration honoring DSR? Have any of the feds fired so far getting DSR?

All are still on admin leave. No way to know.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

How do you know you won’t be Schedule F?

Is this administration honoring DSR? Have any of the feds fired so far getting DSR?

It’s like exiting a building. You have to pick a door. You can go out door A or B. If you meet the requirements of DSR, you go out door B. If you meet other requirements, you go out door A. I don’t know how much “honoring” plays into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

I'd be careful with DSR. DSR requires an actual RIF. My understanding is that a lot can be done to your job and still not be considered a RIF. For example, if they relocate you, and you are still within the defined service area, that's not a RIF, but may add hours to your commute time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

I'd be careful with DSR. DSR requires an actual RIF. My understanding is that a lot can be done to your job and still not be considered a RIF. For example, if they relocate you, and you are still within the defined service area, that's not a RIF, but may add hours to your commute time.

Agreed.