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

[Anonymous]

Dumb idea. You’ll be on probationary terms your first year. You’ll be first to go in the next RIF.

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids and do they have friends/ are doing well in your current location. Since you will be fine financially either way, this is the only consideration that matters.

[Anonymous]

How are you still working in late 40s having made so much money and in finance?
Since the money disappears into a hole anyway, forget about the pay. Do what's best for all of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dumb idea. You’ll be on probationary terms your first year. You’ll be first to go in the next RIF.

It’s a state government job, not federal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dumb idea. You’ll be on probationary terms your first year. You’ll be first to go in the next RIF.

It’s a state government job, not federal.

Same applies.

[Anonymous]

My millennial kids and my boomer self would say jump over if it means you would qualify to retire with pension and the medical benefits who we are still enjoying in retirement.

Why: You’ve tapped out in your current job. Pension, medical insurance, potential high paying contractor job.

[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?

Where you live will have a much greater impact on you and your family than which role you take. The after-tax salary difference isn't that big. In your late forties, who cares if you're bored with your career? You're on the home stretch, just trying to sail into retirement, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dumb idea. You’ll be on probationary terms your first year. You’ll be first to go in the next RIF.

It’s a state government job, not federal.

Same applies.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dumb idea. You’ll be on probationary terms your first year. You’ll be first to go in the next RIF.

It’s a state government job, not federal.

Same applies.

+1

Not if CA as a pp surmised.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't live in a higher cost of living place for less money unless my family really wanted to live there. Does your spouse work? Would her job easily transfer? Do you even want to work for 20 more years, or would you rather earn more and retire sooner/get severance if they fire you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are you still working in late 40s having made so much money and in finance?
Since the money disappears into a hole anyway, forget about the pay. Do what's best for all of you.

High finance jobs are stimulating and fun. It’s a vastly different experience from a normal job where you get a dumb fat boss and a mob of bullies.

[Anonymous]

I would never move to Sacramento. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Govt Jobs are for the Newly Wed and the Nearly Dead makes little sense for anyone else.

When I worked one of those govt jobs all recently married women Mommy Tracking during as planning on having a bunch of kids and people over 50 riding it til death.

We also had some young folks mixed in just to get it on resume they worked there and was best job offer.

We used to joke
Q. What do you say to a 30 year old man quitting?
A. See you at 50

[Anonymous]

No way I'd make that move.

[Anonymous]

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

OP said he's moving somewhere where COL is slightly higher, so probably not CalPERS. Most ppl move to CalPERS partially b/c they come from finance roles in downtown LA or SF and Sacramento is still cheaper than those cities.