Late 40s: stick with high pay or switch to rare government job opportunity

[Anonymous]

I’m in my late 40s and currently work in a competitive area of finance. Lately, I’ve been rethinking my long-term plan as I just don’t feel I have the same energy or ambition to keep competing with younger generation.
I recently received an offer for a specialized state government role(finance related) with compensation around $330K. Currently, I make close to $470K (sometimes over $500K), but my salary and career growth have plateaued. Part of me thinks I should stick it out for another 4–5 years in my current role, then transition into something more stable even with lower pay. Another part of me feels I should take the leap now, since these kind of government opportunities are rare and may not come around again.

The downside is I’d need to relocate my family (though my wife’s work isn’t an issue). Pension benefits also factor in, since more years of service would mean a higher payout down the road.

For those who’ve faced a similar dilemma — how did you make your choice?

[Anonymous]

How is your current job security? Would you have retiree health benefits from the state job?

[Anonymous]

OP here. There’s not much job security in my current role since it’s very market-driven. I feel fairly confident for the next 1–2 years, but beyond that it’s hard to predict. The new government offer does include a strong pension plan, and I could realistically see myself working there another 20 years? The benefits are also excellent, and the pension is calculated as 2% × years of service × highest salary, though there is a cap on the eligible salary that can be counted (I’m not 100% clear on the details yet).

Anonymous wrote:How is your current job security? Would you have retiree health benefits from the state job?

[Anonymous]

yes they offer retiree health benefits as well.

[Anonymous]

I would take the pay cut and get some hobbies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my late 40s and currently work in a competitive area of finance. Lately, I’ve been rethinking my long-term plan as I just don’t feel I have the same energy or ambition to keep competing with younger generation.
I recently received an offer for a specialized state government role(finance related) with compensation around $330K. Currently, I make close to $470K (sometimes over $500K), but my salary and career growth have plateaued. Part of me thinks I should stick it out for another 4–5 years in my current role, then transition into something more stable even with lower pay. Another part of me feels I should take the leap now, since these kind of government opportunities are rare and may not come around again.

The downside is I’d need to relocate my family (though my wife’s work isn’t an issue). Pension benefits also factor in, since more years of service would mean a higher payout down the road.

For those who’ve faced a similar dilemma — how did you make your choice?

Leave if the government job will actually help society while making great money and working less. 300k+ is great money. Otherwise, 470k a year is more than enough to work five more years and then do whatever you want. You can save millions in that time. There are no bad choices here, unless either job is forwarding bad social policy.

[Anonymous]

Would you be relocating to a place you'd like to live in? Would your wife and kids be happy there?

FWIW, the people I know in state gov't finance rolls (probably with high salaries) seem very happy with their career choices.

[Anonymous]

My job is purely focused on finance, essentially making money work more efficiently, so there isn’t much involvement with social policy

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my late 40s and currently work in a competitive area of finance. Lately, I’ve been rethinking my long-term plan as I just don’t feel I have the same energy or ambition to keep competing with younger generation.
I recently received an offer for a specialized state government role(finance related) with compensation around $330K. Currently, I make close to $470K (sometimes over $500K), but my salary and career growth have plateaued. Part of me thinks I should stick it out for another 4–5 years in my current role, then transition into something more stable even with lower pay. Another part of me feels I should take the leap now, since these kind of government opportunities are rare and may not come around again.

The downside is I’d need to relocate my family (though my wife’s work isn’t an issue). Pension benefits also factor in, since more years of service would mean a higher payout down the road.

For those who’ve faced a similar dilemma — how did you make your choice?

Leave if the government job will actually help society while making great money and working less. 300k+ is great money. Otherwise, 470k a year is more than enough to work five more years and then do whatever you want. You can save millions in that time. There are no bad choices here, unless either job is forwarding bad social policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you be relocating to a place you'd like to live in? Would your wife and kids be happy there?

FWIW, the people I know in state gov't finance rolls (probably with high salaries) seem very happy with their career choices.

Also, I'm the one who asked about retiree health care, and I think that's a very good benefit. I think another thing to consider is how much savings you have right now/how much more you think you need to save for retirement, college, etc.

[Anonymous]

We like the area, even though the cost of living is likely significantly higher. My family has no objections, though they would probably be happier staying in our current location.

Anonymous wrote:Would you be relocating to a place you'd like to live in? Would your wife and kids be happy there?

FWIW, the people I know in state gov't finance rolls (probably with high salaries) seem very happy with their career choices.

[Anonymous]

Depends upon the location of the state job. If in Hawaii, then one's personal preference may value that location over a higher income; if in Alaska, then pass and stay put.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My job is purely focused on finance, essentially making money work more efficiently, so there isn’t much involvement with social policy

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my late 40s and currently work in a competitive area of finance. Lately, I’ve been rethinking my long-term plan as I just don’t feel I have the same energy or ambition to keep competing with younger generation.
I recently received an offer for a specialized state government role(finance related) with compensation around $330K. Currently, I make close to $470K (sometimes over $500K), but my salary and career growth have plateaued. Part of me thinks I should stick it out for another 4–5 years in my current role, then transition into something more stable even with lower pay. Another part of me feels I should take the leap now, since these kind of government opportunities are rare and may not come around again.

The downside is I’d need to relocate my family (though my wife’s work isn’t an issue). Pension benefits also factor in, since more years of service would mean a higher payout down the road.

For those who’ve faced a similar dilemma — how did you make your choice?

Leave if the government job will actually help society while making great money and working less. 300k+ is great money. Otherwise, 470k a year is more than enough to work five more years and then do whatever you want. You can save millions in that time. There are no bad choices here, unless either job is forwarding bad social policy.

Well then go be rich doing some good and presumably working with less stress and uncertainty, instead of being very rich doing the other thing. You have a great opportunity to do well as a public servant. Life is too short and your time too valuable to stress out for even more when you have more than enough.

[Anonymous]

I’d really drill down on the math. You have to vest to get pension benefits. And will the pension beat your historic perf on 401k? Will you have to pay a bigger share of health premiums? (Private sector often pays full premium, public sector makes employee pay part, which can be expensive for family and more for dental, vision, etc). Will you have to pay for other benefits you get now, like life insurance, supplemental insurance? Things like AFLAC might not even be available in pub job, and if they are you will pay.

People always assume public sector is less stress. That is just not true. Highly driven people drive themselves no matter where they are. And public sector jobs have performance goals and “customer” demand too, esp at senior level.

I am career civil service and I love it. But I don’t think it’s right for everyone. I have seen many private sector people realize the grass is not greener.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like CalPERS. Great pay and benefits, but Sacramento blows. So hot.

[Anonymous]

I’d prioritize how your family feels about the two different locations.