Are foreign service benefits excessive or reasonable given the sacrifices?

[Anonymous]

so it is the money that spoils them?

[Anonymous]

The former FS kids I know are a mixed bag, but they all have mindset of"born on third base and think they hit a triple".

The benefits are big, but the trailing spouse basically has to trash their career. It's not clear to me that all of them would have had much of a career though. There's probably some self-selection there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The former FS kids I know are a mixed bag, but they all have mindset of"born on third base and think they hit a triple".

The benefits are big, but the trailing spouse basically has to trash their career. It's not clear to me that all of them would have had much of a career though. There's probably some self-selection there.

the secret is to have a spouse who is also foreign service. Double the benefits salary etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The former FS kids I know are a mixed bag, but they all have mindset of"born on third base and think they hit a triple".

The benefits are big, but the trailing spouse basically has to trash their career. It's not clear to me that all of them would have had much of a career though. There's probably some self-selection there.

the secret is to have a spouse who is also foreign service. Double the benefits salary etc...

I know a couple like this. It is exceedingly difficult to impossible for them to be stationed together.

[Anonymous]

I think it was much easier in the days when the husband worked and the wife followed him around from country to country.

Nowadays, if have both parents working, it is hard to come up with a benefit package that makes up for one of them having to sacrifice their career. We would never have done it for this reason, although in many ways my wife would have been a good candidate. There are plenty of places like UST where you can have an international career without having to move every two or three years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The former FS kids I know are a mixed bag, but they all have mindset of"born on third base and think they hit a triple".

The benefits are big, but the trailing spouse basically has to trash their career. It's not clear to me that all of them would have had much of a career though. There's probably some self-selection there.

the secret is to have a spouse who is also foreign service. Double the benefits salary etc...

I know a couple like this. It is exceedingly difficult to impossible for them to be stationed together.

The FS doesn't prioritize giving spouses the same station? It would rather effectively fire one of them? Seems like such a waste.

[Anonymous]

As an outsider, the benefits seem incredible. Especially the $25,000 pension per year of work. You mean if you are stationed overseas for 10 years, you get a $250,000/year pension? Then housing plus private school could be worth $200,000 pre-tax dollars.

Regarding the sacrifices, they are not much of a sacrifice if you yearn for adventure and international travel, but could be unbearable if you don't. Its hard to put a price tag on it.

[Anonymous]

There is a 20 years of service and 50 years old requirement to retire with good benefits. At that point our pension should be worth nearly a million dollars depending on your high 3 salary. This is the most generous benefit. That is why I would need to double. My salary to leave this retirement package. Therefore I am now married to this career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a 20 years of service and 50 years old requirement to retire with good benefits. At that point our pension should be worth nearly a million dollars depending on your high 3 salary. This is the most generous benefit. That is why I would need to double. My salary to leave this retirement package. Therefore I am now married to this career.

I am an FSO, and have been for the past 14 years. According to the retirement rules, I am elgibilbe to retire at age 55 with 20 years of service. I probably cannot afford to do so and plan on working until the mandatory retirment age, which is 62. At that time, I estimate my retirement package, including my TSP, will be valued at about $1.5 million. I would not be able to do this in another job.

Additionally, I do not think that FSOs are overcompensated. The hardship and other differentials that are mentioned in previous posts a percentage of your base salary, not a a salary with locality pay that you get in Washington. Also, your "high three calculation" for the defined pension benefit is calculated as a percentage of your base salary. There are a lot of FSOs who choose to do statewide tours just prior to retirement so they get the Washington locality pay included in their "high three" determination.

Regarding school allowances, these are a necessity. If I were in the Washington DC area, I would be guaranteed that my children would be guaranteed a free public education. That option is not available to us overseas, therefore the State Department has an obligation to provide the benefit for the education of our children.
My total compensation package last year, exclusive of education and housing allowances was $140,000. The education benefit for the school at my post was $23,000. My housing allowance was $5,000 for a two bedroom apartment in my post city that met the standards for American housing and the security requirements set out by the Department, which included 24 hour guard, controlled access, etc. You really cannot compare housing available in the U.S. to housing overseas on an equal cost basis – and yes, the cost and what you get for that cost is very much based on the local market. However, in general, we are not expected to suffer a reduction in the at least the type of lifestyle we would have in the Washingon area when we are overseas, although when you are in Ougadougou or Lagos that is not a comparison that can really be made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a 20 years of service and 50 years old requirement to retire with good benefits. At that point our pension should be worth nearly a million dollars depending on your high 3 salary. This is the most generous benefit. That is why I would need to double. My salary to leave this retirement package. Therefore I am now married to this career.

I am an FSO, and have been for the past 14 years. According to the retirement rules, I am elgibilbe to retire at age 55 with 20 years of service. I probably cannot afford to do so and plan on working until the mandatory retirment age, which is 62. At that time, I estimate my retirement package, including my TSP, will be valued at about $1.5 million. I would not be able to do this in another job.

Additionally, I do not think that FSOs are overcompensated. The hardship and other differentials that are mentioned in previous posts a percentage of your base salary, not a a salary with locality pay that you get in Washington. Also, your "high three calculation" for the defined pension benefit is calculated as a percentage of your base salary. There are a lot of FSOs who choose to do statewide tours just prior to retirement so they get the Washington locality pay included in their "high three" determination.

Regarding school allowances, these are a necessity. If I were in the Washington DC area, I would be guaranteed that my children would be guaranteed a free public education. That option is not available to us overseas, therefore the State Department has an obligation to provide the benefit for the education of our children.
My total compensation package last year, exclusive of education and housing allowances was $140,000. The education benefit for the school at my post was $23,000. My housing allowance was $5,000 for a two bedroom apartment in my post city that met the standards for American housing and the security requirements set out by the Department, which included 24 hour guard, controlled access, etc. You really cannot compare housing available in the U.S. to housing overseas on an equal cost basis – and yes, the cost and what you get for that cost is very much based on the local market. However, in general, we are not expected to suffer a reduction in the at least the type of lifestyle we would have in the Washingon area when we are overseas, although when you are in Ougadougou or Lagos that is not a comparison that can really be made.

You are smoking crack of you think every American has the lifestyle and benefits you describe.

Isn't the point of hardship pay or joining the foreign service is to go to places that are in need of help and you think you are entitled to the same lifestyle in the Washington area?

Maybe pay for your kids school but paying a per diem housing doesn't make sense considering most people pocket the difference. Embassy housing should be fine unless you are an
embasador or dcm.

Should be no different than the military.
You are trying to have your cake and eat it tooo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a 20 years of service and 50 years old requirement to retire with good benefits. At that point our pension should be worth nearly a million dollars depending on your high 3 salary. This is the most generous benefit. That is why I would need to double. My salary to leave this retirement package. Therefore I am now married to this career.

I am an FSO, and have been for the past 14 years. According to the retirement rules, I am elgibilbe to retire at age 55 with 20 years of service. I probably cannot afford to do so and plan on working until the mandatory retirment age, which is 62. At that time, I estimate my retirement package, including my TSP, will be valued at about $1.5 million. I would not be able to do this in another job.

Additionally, I do not think that FSOs are overcompensated. The hardship and other differentials that are mentioned in previous posts a percentage of your base salary, not a a salary with locality pay that you get in Washington. Also, your "high three calculation" for the defined pension benefit is calculated as a percentage of your base salary. There are a lot of FSOs who choose to do statewide tours just prior to retirement so they get the Washington locality pay included in their "high three" determination.

Regarding school allowances, these are a necessity. If I were in the Washington DC area, I would be guaranteed that my children would be guaranteed a free public education. That option is not available to us overseas, therefore the State Department has an obligation to provide the benefit for the education of our children.
My total compensation package last year, exclusive of education and housing allowances was $140,000. The education benefit for the school at my post was $23,000. My housing allowance was $5,000 for a two bedroom apartment in my post city that met the standards for American housing and the security requirements set out by the Department, which included 24 hour guard, controlled access, etc. You really cannot compare housing available in the U.S. to housing overseas on an equal cost basis – and yes, the cost and what you get for that cost is very much based on the local market. However, in general, we are not expected to suffer a reduction in the at least the type of lifestyle we would have in the Washingon area when we are overseas, although when you are in Ougadougou or Lagos that is not a comparison that can really be made.

You are smoking crack of you think every American has the lifestyle and benefits you describe.

Isn't the point of hardship pay or joining the foreign service is to go to places that are in need of help and you think you are entitled to the same lifestyle in the Washington area?

Maybe pay for your kids school but paying a per diem housing doesn't make sense considering most people pocket the difference. Embassy housing should be fine unless you are an
embasador or dcm.

Should be no different than the military.
You are trying to have your cake and eat it tooo.

Who said we get a housing per diem? At my post, Government leased housing was in privately owned apartments, which cost at the market rate in the host city approximatelyt $5K per month - for a two bedroom apartment. Housing conditions vary from post - to - post

[Anonymous]

Fso tenure after three years of service is great too! Great job security.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the benefits are excessive. Why are you asking, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree FS kids are messed up.

I knew several in high school here and several in college. They all had a huge sense of
entitlement and treated classmates who were born and bred in the states like they were dumb hicks. Also, they acted like they were immersed in local culture when most of their time overseas was spent with other expat families (or locals from the upper classes). They were out of touch with every one and everything.

I am an expat and I agree that most high class diplomat brats do not immerse themselves in the culture. They attend private international schools and rarely venture outside their circle. The expat kids who attend local and live in middle or lower middle class neighborhoods have a totally different experience. The rich segregate themselves from ordinary folks everywhere, with rich expats having the smallest clique
And I agree that born and bread locals are dumb hicks, but have learned to accept it. Sometimes I just really miss having a deep conversation with someone about something other than the last mayor or baseball game or clothing and fashion or weather or how to do nails or the latest soap

And you proved the point about the high and mighty attitude of FS brats...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think those are largely in line with what private sector employers offer to talent they locate in other countries. Maybe less generous even.

+1

I was offered $300K to move to Nigeria. Plus housing (4 bedroom, pool, gated community), paid for, maids, cook, driver, security entourage, company paid private school for our kids, additional car/driver for my wife, flights home each year, so on and so forth.