Federal employee pay raise 2022

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...but to to active federal employees.

Correction - but NOT to active federal employees.

[Anonymous]

I've been a fed for 20 years and can count on one hand when the annual pay raise matched inflation for the year. Inflation for this year is more than 6%, and we're supposed to be grateful if we get 3% with locality. Whatever. We're here for MISSION, not to be able to pay bills.

[Anonymous]

Will the topped-out 15s please stop whining? We are well paid for public sector work, period. If you really think you would do so much better elsewhere, please go. 170k a year is a very nice salary. We do get a pension, social security, and access to one of the lowest-fee, well-managed 401ks out there. Inflation may hit us a bit, but at this salary, you have cushions. I’m a single parent who has no access to child support, and we are just fine. And no, I don’t live in the exurbs or eat ramen to survive, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will the topped-out 15s please stop whining? We are well paid for public sector work, period. If you really think you would do so much better elsewhere, please go. 170k a year is a very nice salary. We do get a pension, social security, and access to one of the lowest-fee, well-managed 401ks out there. Inflation may hit us a bit, but at this salary, you have cushions. I’m a single parent who has no access to child support, and we are just fine. And no, I don’t live in the exurbs or eat ramen to survive, either.

Well I am happy for you but this thread IS about pay raise. If extra money is not needed for you I suggest you move on and let others vent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will the topped-out 15s please stop whining? We are well paid for public sector work, period. If you really think you would do so much better elsewhere, please go. 170k a year is a very nice salary. We do get a pension, social security, and access to one of the lowest-fee, well-managed 401ks out there. Inflation may hit us a bit, but at this salary, you have cushions. I’m a single parent who has no access to child support, and we are just fine. And no, I don’t live in the exurbs or eat ramen to survive, either.

It’s 172,500, not 170,000. And pay compression is a real problem. Those who have made it to the top of the GS ladder deserve meaningful raises too.

[Anonymous]

I hate the implication on DCUM that most feds are topped-out 15s. That is the realm of a few niche career paths like law or upper administration. The vast majority of us will spend our entire careers at the worker bee level of GS 9-12. Maybe 13 if we go into management. Barely cracking six figures after decades of service is a real hardship in the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate the implication on DCUM that most feds are topped-out 15s. That is the realm of a few niche career paths like law or upper administration. The vast majority of us will spend our entire careers at the worker bee level of GS 9-12. Maybe 13 if we go into management. Barely cracking six figures after decades of service is a real hardship in the DC area.

Yep, I'm a scientist and a GS-12, after I had to start at a GS-11. That's barely enough to make it in this area. Luckily I'm married. I could look at private sector, but for now I think federal government is better at work-life balance. It still feels like I'm being taken advantage of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will the topped-out 15s please stop whining? We are well paid for public sector work, period. If you really think you would do so much better elsewhere, please go. 170k a year is a very nice salary. We do get a pension, social security, and access to one of the lowest-fee, well-managed 401ks out there. Inflation may hit us a bit, but at this salary, you have cushions. I’m a single parent who has no access to child support, and we are just fine. And no, I don’t live in the exurbs or eat ramen to survive, either.

It’s 172,500, not 170,000. And pay compression is a real problem. Those who have made it to the top of the GS ladder deserve meaningful raises too.

Some of those at the top levels are managing huge programs that would be paying double or triple in the private sector equivalent. With inflation it really does have an impact.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I'm a 13 - almost 20 years in. I just interviewed for a job outside the govmt but they couldn't match the healthcare for life that I'll get when i retire in about 6 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will the topped-out 15s please stop whining? We are well paid for public sector work, period. If you really think you would do so much better elsewhere, please go. 170k a year is a very nice salary. We do get a pension, social security, and access to one of the lowest-fee, well-managed 401ks out there. Inflation may hit us a bit, but at this salary, you have cushions. I’m a single parent who has no access to child support, and we are just fine. And no, I don’t live in the exurbs or eat ramen to survive, either.

It’s 172,500, not 170,000. And pay compression is a real problem. Those who have made it to the top of the GS ladder deserve meaningful raises too.

Some of those at the top levels are managing huge programs that would be paying double or triple in the private sector equivalent. With inflation it really does have an impact.

Then transition to private. Nothing is stopping you. Go get that 340-510k job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will the topped-out 15s please stop whining? We are well paid for public sector work, period. If you really think you would do so much better elsewhere, please go. 170k a year is a very nice salary. We do get a pension, social security, and access to one of the lowest-fee, well-managed 401ks out there. Inflation may hit us a bit, but at this salary, you have cushions. I’m a single parent who has no access to child support, and we are just fine. And no, I don’t live in the exurbs or eat ramen to survive, either.

It’s 172,500, not 170,000. And pay compression is a real problem. Those who have made it to the top of the GS ladder deserve meaningful raises too.

Some of those at the top levels are managing huge programs that would be paying double or triple in the private sector equivalent. With inflation it really does have an impact.

Then transition to private. Nothing is stopping you. Go get that 340-510k job.

That’s a really specific salary range!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I'm a 13 - almost 20 years in. I just interviewed for a job outside the govmt but they couldn't match the healthcare for life that I'll get when i retire in about 6 years.

well, it's really health care until 65. at that point, you can sign up for medicare or stay with FEHB or both

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I'm a 13 - almost 20 years in. I just interviewed for a job outside the govmt but they couldn't match the healthcare for life that I'll get when i retire in about 6 years.

well, it's really health care until 65. at that point, you can sign up for medicare or stay with FEHB or both

Oh don't be disingenuous. Being allowed to stay on FEHB at age 92 for the same premiums that a 27 year old pays is effectively healthcare for life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I'm a 13 - almost 20 years in. I just interviewed for a job outside the govmt but they couldn't match the healthcare for life that I'll get when i retire in about 6 years.

It’s true. Federal employment is a long game in terms of compensation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate the implication on DCUM that most feds are topped-out 15s. That is the realm of a few niche career paths like law or upper administration. The vast majority of us will spend our entire careers at the worker bee level of GS 9-12. Maybe 13 if we go into management. Barely cracking six figures after decades of service is a real hardship in the DC area.

It's that the 15s complain the most. Yes, the pay cap is an issue but it affects a small minority of employees but gets outsized attention in this forum.