Q for GS-15s (federal employees)
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Anonymous
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In addition to the already mentioned likely lack of COLAs and probably lack of cash awards (my agency has basically stopped them, time off only for now), also consider that retirement contributions may increase, as well as health insurance contribs.
IOW Congress is doing anything it can to try to chisel away at Feds' benefits even if they can't do anything but freeze salaries. Flexible spending accounts were cut in half last year (an $800+ salary cut in effect for a 15/10), &c. &c. |
Anonymous
| Any chance he would eventually leave fed service? |
Anonymous
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Husband is GS-15 and maxed out for many years. SES service means less protection -you can be moved to a different agency, a new position (is there a new probationary period - where you could be let-go? maybe) Anyway, the political appointees can mess with your career, and as your husband says -the pay difference is very, very little for a bigger risk.
Vacation time is good. |
Anonymous
SES has unlimited leave carryover but IME they never get to use all their earned leave, so they need that and are so burned out/frazzled that it's hardly a benefit in the long run, the wear-and-tear is not worth it along the way. Also IMO based on 20+ yrs. in mgmt and 3 chances for SES that I decided to pass on, the work at the SES level is (IMO) less interesting and more geared to the crisis-du-jour as imagined by often incompetent political appointees of one party or the other. My agency rarely directed geographic SES moves, but yes, you can get moved around to a not-so-enticing slot at any time. |
Anonymous
| edit: I think its 720 hrs. SES leave carryover rather than 240 but the basic point is the same ... |
Anonymous
Fuck you. He's not some rag picker, he's an attorney with a good job and income that is high even by DC standards. Actually, YOU sound like a 12 year old. |
Anonymous
| Op do this guy a favor and don't marry him. You sound greedy. |
Anonymous
Wow, awesome link... OK, I know what I'm going to be doing for the next 4 hours! |
Anonymous
| I've been a GS 15/10 for 11 years now, and over those years, my salary has increased substantially. The political climate right now provides good reason for skepticism that the next 11 will be anywhere near as positive. Hope for he best, plan for the worst. A friend recently got promoted to an SES slot from 15/10, and reported that the bump amounted to about $600 per month. |
Anonymous
| The SESers I know make about $180K, plus they can accrue up to 720 hours of leave. |
Anonymous
Plus 10. If he has this and it a good partner, what else are you calculating for? Thinking of trading him on for a higher earning potential model? |
Anonymous
a Agree |
Anonymous
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I don't think OP sounds greedy as much as she is trying to reconcile her view of career success with her boyfriend's view. She knows she is doing a good job in the private sector when they give her a raise. After a while you can't get a raise (other than COLAs) in the federal government. But what you do get is time. Less hours required or expected in the office in most cases, and people expect you to use your vacation and not work while on vacation. For me, I left a large law for this reason. You can also get to work on interesting matters and can have the satisfaction of becoming an expert in a niche field. So it can be comparable to private sector in these ways.
Of course, the boyfriend may not be as career minded as the OP. I left a career in the law for a job as a lawyer for the federal government. I found a position with somewhat interesting work, pays relatively well, is stable, and most importantly allows me to spend time with my family. I am home before 7 every night when I used to be at the office until after 7 every night. I consider that success. interesting, paid relatively well, and most importantly, allowe |