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

[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.

100% agree with this. And no, I have no jealousy, I just think that the scenario OP describes is absolutely not what was envisioned when the pension system was designed. I think what OP suggests is fiscally and ethically responsible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

OP here. If they were paying for my retirement, I would understand if they had input. Certainly in the private sector, shareholders have input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

then people would start working under the table and be making even more money and not declaring it.

Wow. If this is true, it's an outstanding statement about the ethics of our public employees. I'd like to believe you are dead wrong.

[Anonymous]

Sour grapes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm irritated by the fact that my neighbor made over $150K at her Fed job, retired, and now collects 80% of that while pulling in several hundred thousand more as a lobbyist.

I fully support retirement for federal employees but I think this double dipping is unconscionable, particularly as she's drawing on her contacts for profit.

Whew, I feel better!

Cops do this all the time. So do military veterans. Are we trashing them, too, or only the other people who keep the government functioning? In which I loosely include members of Congress, since "functioning" is a major stretch for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've got about 8 more years and then I can do this. I have already had offers from several organizations who will "buy" me for my contact list. I'm not sure what your issue is.

Is it that I'm getting a pension? Or that I'm getting a pension after working for so long at less than I could have earned say....at BigLaw?

Or, are you just thinking you should have gone into gov't?

Not trying to pick a fight, but you chose to work for the government and make less, correct? No one stopped you from going BigLaw, did they? The way you state this it sounds as if you feel entitled to cash in because of your "service." Not exactly the model of a selfless public "servant." You are playing right into the right wing here, you know? And I say this as a lefty who has a dirty taste in her mouth from your comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Perks? Excitement? Seriously?

My family and friends who work in corporations are for the most part not getting any perks or excitement. Quite the opposite. Budgets are being cut, travel and professional development are being cut, bonuses and benefits are being cut, etc etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've got about 8 more years and then I can do this. I have already had offers from several organizations who will "buy" me for my contact list. I'm not sure what your issue is.

Is it that I'm getting a pension? Or that I'm getting a pension after working for so long at less than I could have earned say....at BigLaw?

Or, are you just thinking you should have gone into gov't?

Not trying to pick a fight, but you chose to work for the government and make less, correct? No one stopped you from going BigLaw, did they? The way you state this it sounds as if you feel entitled to cash in because of your "service." Not exactly the model of a selfless public "servant." You are playing right into the right wing here, you know? And I say this as a lefty who has a dirty taste in her mouth from your comments.

Yes, I agree with all of this. The perk of working with the government is more reasonable working hours and job security. That doesn't mean you get to cash in your contacts for $$$ because you think you "deserve" it.

[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.

Again, it's called public SERVICE, people. If you didn't want to serve and felt you were being cheated out of a fair market salary you could have pursued employment elsewhere. The reality is that comparing high-level federal government employees who move on to lucrative private sector/lobbying careers to cops, teachers and firefighters is disingenuous. Cops, teachers and firefighters are generally not moving on to lucrative lobbying careers once they retire. Based on these asinine sentiments that you are somehow "owed" for your "service," you are not even remotely fit to compare yourself to a cop or a firefighter unless you have been in a military combat position.

I'm glad that I know federal employees who aren't entitled asses like some posting here, otherwise I would have to sympathize with the right-wing line on public employees completely. Keep it up you guys, and over time public sentiment will turn against you at the ballot box.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've got about 8 more years and then I can do this. I have already had offers from several organizations who will "buy" me for my contact list. I'm not sure what your issue is.

Is it that I'm getting a pension? Or that I'm getting a pension after working for so long at less than I could have earned say....at BigLaw?

Or, are you just thinking you should have gone into gov't?

Not trying to pick a fight, but you chose to work for the government and make less, correct? No one stopped you from going BigLaw, did they? The way you state this it sounds as if you feel entitled to cash in because of your "service." Not exactly the model of a selfless public "servant." You are playing right into the right wing here, you know? And I say this as a lefty who has a dirty taste in her mouth from your comments.

Yes, I agree with all of this. The perk of working with the government is more reasonable working hours and job security. That doesn't mean you get to cash in your contacts for $$$ because you think you "deserve" it.

Exactly. I have friends who moved from private to public service for the reasons you enumerate so they could focus on their family instead of billing a zillion hours a week. They are happy and do good work. The entitled class on here sound like miserable ingrates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've got about 8 more years and then I can do this. I have already had offers from several organizations who will "buy" me for my contact list. I'm not sure what your issue is.

Is it that I'm getting a pension? Or that I'm getting a pension after working for so long at less than I could have earned say....at BigLaw?

Or, are you just thinking you should have gone into gov't?

Not trying to pick a fight, but you chose to work for the government and make less, correct? No one stopped you from going BigLaw, did they? The way you state this it sounds as if you feel entitled to cash in because of your "service." Not exactly the model of a selfless public "servant." You are playing right into the right wing here, you know? And I say this as a lefty who has a dirty taste in her mouth from your comments.

Yes, I agree with all of this. The perk of working with the government is more reasonable working hours and job security. That doesn't mean you get to cash in your contacts for $$$ because you think you "deserve" it.

Reasonable working hours....I actually was working until 9:00 on New Years eve. What time did you work until?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Again, it's called public SERVICE, people. If you didn't want to serve and felt you were being cheated out of a fair market salary you could have pursued employment elsewhere. The reality is that comparing high-level federal government employees who move on to lucrative private sector/lobbying careers to cops, teachers and firefighters is disingenuous. Cops, teachers and firefighters are generally not moving on to lucrative lobbying careers once they retire. Based on these asinine sentiments that you are somehow "owed" for your "service," you are not even remotely fit to compare yourself to a cop or a firefighter unless you have been in a military combat position.

I'm glad that I know federal employees who aren't entitled asses like some posting here, otherwise I would have to sympathize with the right-wing line on public employees completely. Keep it up you guys, and over time public sentiment will turn against you at the ballot box.

Exactly, and when I am done serving if I want to take my contacts, my pension and make a fat salary as a lobbiest that is my right to do so. So don't give me shit about it.

[Anonymous]

I am entitled to a benefit that was given to me when I joined the government just like I am entitled to the salary they offered me. It was a package deal. Now I could have gone Big Law and saved the money but I chose door number 2.

There are no military people working for big defense contractors? There are no cops with private security companies?

I served my 30 years now I am entitled to the benefits that were promised me when I made this decision 30 years ago.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Again, it's called public SERVICE, people. If you didn't want to serve and felt you were being cheated out of a fair market salary you could have pursued employment elsewhere. The reality is that comparing high-level federal government employees who move on to lucrative private sector/lobbying careers to cops, teachers and firefighters is disingenuous. Cops, teachers and firefighters are generally not moving on to lucrative lobbying careers once they retire. Based on these asinine sentiments that you are somehow "owed" for your "service," you are not even remotely fit to compare yourself to a cop or a firefighter unless you have been in a military combat position.

I'm glad that I know federal employees who aren't entitled asses like some posting here, otherwise I would have to sympathize with the right-wing line on public employees completely. Keep it up you guys, and over time public sentiment will turn against you at the ballot box.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Again, it's called public SERVICE, people. If you didn't want to serve and felt you were being cheated out of a fair market salary you could have pursued employment elsewhere. The reality is that comparing high-level federal government employees who move on to lucrative private sector/lobbying careers to cops, teachers and firefighters is disingenuous. Cops, teachers and firefighters are generally not moving on to lucrative lobbying careers once they retire. Based on these asinine sentiments that you are somehow "owed" for your "service," you are not even remotely fit to compare yourself to a cop or a firefighter unless you have been in a military combat position.

I'm glad that I know federal employees who aren't entitled asses like some posting here, otherwise I would have to sympathize with the right-wing line on public employees completely. Keep it up you guys, and over time public sentiment will turn against you at the ballot box.

Exactly, and when I am done serving if I want to take my contacts, my pension and make a fat salary as a lobbiest that is my right to do so. So don't give me shit about it.

Defensive much? Seems I got under your skin. Good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm irritated by the fact that my neighbor made over $150K at her Fed job, retired, and now collects 80% of that while pulling in several hundred thousand more as a lobbyist.

I fully support retirement for federal employees but I think this double dipping is unconscionable, particularly as she's drawing on her contacts for profit.

Whew, I feel better!

Cops do this all the time. So do military veterans. Are we trashing them, too, or only the other people who keep the government functioning? In which I loosely include members of Congress, since "functioning" is a major stretch for them.

I'm a former fed, now contractor, although I didn't stay in the gov't long enough to actually retire. DH is retired military/fed and also now a contractor. I agree with OP that the double-dipping is frustrating, even though our family currently benefits from it via DH's military retirement pay.

IMO, any federal pension (civilian or military) should not kick in if you are still working for the gov't in any capacity, including as a private sector contractor. In an ideal world, I'd actually not see that pension kick in until age 65 unless there was a medical/disability component to it such as with our wounded warriors.