I can't say this to anyone in real life but ...

[Anonymous]

My neighbor is collecting 100% FED salary as pension, as well as spouse's.

I hate to think that our children will be paying for a long time.

[Anonymous]

I'm not religious AT ALL, but I remember this parable from second grade at catholic school: 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way.'

Of course, OP has a point because we are all paying for OP's neighbor to get her great pension. Still, working in the federal gov't is no picnic, one gives up a lot, not just money but recognition, perks and excitement.

[Anonymous]

Well, my pet peeve is the frequent misuse of the term "retirement" in this region. When I think retirement, I think of someone with white hair that moves south and golfs. That's what retiring is. The government, largely the military misuse this term. What your neighbor did was seperate from government service and got another job, she didn't retire.

It's as absurd as when people say they've been fired during the Recession. Unless you are an NFL coach or you banged a coworker, got caught and were given until the end of the day to box up your belongings, you haven't been fired, you've been let go.

There's also age limits to federal retirement, although I'd say it's a better deal than Congress. ANOTHER peeve of mine is when people think a retired member of Congress gets lifetime payments, they can't get their retirement until they're 65 (or maybe 62), and its based on years of service. You're mentally challenged if you think a 45 year old is getting rich off of serving a term in the House.

http://www.opm.gov/retire/faq/pre/faq11.asp#FERS

[Anonymous]

Stop counting other people's money. Or, go stand on a trash heap outside Rio where people pick trash to eat and live and you'll have another perspective.

I'm jealous of the people that started google/facebook/instagram. Wait, I have none of those good ideas so that jealously is misplaced.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad that they do. My father is retiring this week and I won't have to worry about my parents' financial situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I also don't buy the "less than in private industry" thing. This is someone with no college degree. She did a great job and I'm not denigrating that but I don't buy the idea that she could have goen out and made more in the private sector.

Well, since you said she makes several hundred thousand now as a lobbyist, then she clearly did have the skills to go out and make more in the private sector.

[Anonymous]

I hear you, OP. We have a friend who just "retired" from the govt and will get about $80,000/year for the rest of his life. I don't begrudge him that once he finally retires, but I do think it's ridiculous that he can collect it immediately when he is also starting a new job making over $300,000 in the private sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. We have a friend who just "retired" from the govt and will get about $80,000/year for the rest of his life. I don't begrudge him that once he finally retires, but I do think it's ridiculous that he can collect it immediately when he is also starting a new job making over $300,000 in the private sector.

But you do see how government employees can make so much more outside of the government. Sounds like the govt. got a bargain for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think the 30% thing sucks! As I said, I support retirement for Feds, I just think it's not right that people then go on to a lucrative second career trading on their Federal contacts.

I would support a system where your Federal retirement decreases commensurate with outside earned income at a certain point.

I don't want my taxes going to retirement for lobbyists. But if someone wants to retire from a Fed job and be a teacher or something like that, I would 100% support it.

What about ex POTUSs and SCOTUS Justices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know because she told me. Late fifties.

I am a fed-42 years old and that is my same salary too. I've been with the govt since I was 25. If it makes you feel better I won't retire until at least 67.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think the 30% thing sucks! As I said, I support retirement for Feds, I just think it's not right that people then go on to a lucrative second career trading on their Federal contacts.

I would support a system where your Federal retirement decreases commensurate with outside earned income at a certain point.

I don't want my taxes going to retirement for lobbyists. But if someone wants to retire from a Fed job and be a teacher or something like that, I would 100% support it.

OP, I understand why you're upset here but would you like someone to decide how you can spend your retirement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know because she told me. Late fifties.

I am a fed-42 years old and that is my same salary too. I've been with the govt since I was 25. If it makes you feel better I won't retire until at least 67.

Btw, FEDS my age do not have the pension like my 71 year old father. We have "thrift savings plan' which is basically a 401K. It is like private sector and NOTHING like Fed retirement of our elders...which is why I will be working until 67..

Military retire aft 20 and the officers have a great retirement and then go into private sector as you describe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. We have a friend who just "retired" from the govt and will get about $80,000/year for the rest of his life. I don't begrudge him that once he finally retires, but I do think it's ridiculous that he can collect it immediately when he is also starting a new job making over $300,000 in the private sector.

But you do see how government employees can make so much more outside of the government. Sounds like the govt. got a bargain for years.

They make more outside of government due to their federal contacts. Lobbying firms, consulting firms, etc. hire them for the contacts they develop over decades on government.

[Anonymous]

retirement age should be higher because people are dying later

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I also don't buy the "less than in private industry" thing. This is someone with no college degree. She did a great job and I'm not denigrating that but I don't buy the idea that she could have goen out and made more in the private sector.

Well, since you said she makes several hundred thousand now as a lobbyist, then she clearly did have the skills to go out and make more in the private sector.

No, she has the access/contacts, not the skills.