Q for GS-15s (federal employees)
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Anonymous
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Dear all:
Hello. I've enjoyed reading this forum as a source of information. Now I've got a quick question for any GS-15 federal employees. I'm a divorced mom (age 42) with 3 kids who works full-time. I'm dating a divorced dad (also age 42) with one child who works full-time as an attorney at a federal government agency. Things are going well in our relationship, and we are starting to talk about building a life together as a blended family. One of the conversations we are having is about each other's financial situation. I work for a large company, and feel my job is relatively stable, although that's never a sure thing in the private sector and so I don't make any assumptions. I work in an industry that is doing OK, and so I've had decent bonuses in recent years, which has made me feel pretty loyal to my company. My boyfriend was advising me about the GS system, and he indicated that he is now "maxed out" in terms of pay. He is a GS-15 (step 10), which is a pay similar to what I'm making ($155,000 year in salary). We feel blessed to have these salaries and feel very fortunate. I didn't want to pepper him with questions, but I was surprised to learn that there's a certain ceiling that you hit, and that there are no possible options for making more once you reach that point (unless you take a different job outside of the federal government). I asked if there were some options for senior leadership, and he said that he does aspire to one of those jobs (in the SES), but he indicated that the salary bump is pretty small. (On the other hand, the benefits of federal employment that he has described seem great -- the annuity, the matching 401(k), and 4 weeks of vacation time (he's been there 12 years). It also seems to be a satisfying job with smart people and a good work environment. I was wondering if I was correct to understand the part about the ceiling? Is there no possible increase at all at this point? If so, does the federal government do anything to incentivize employees to go the extra mile such as bonuses? Do people tend to leave once they get to this ceiling, or do they stay becasue of the benefits and job security and other advantages? To me, I like having something to shoot for, but my boyfriend says that there are other advantages to the job, and he has "mostly" come to terms with the lack of potential for pay increases. He said his colleagues grumble a bit about it, but what can you do. I welcome any input on this topic., and whether others have also come to terms. Thank you. |
Anonymous
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Most people stay for the benefits.
The only chance for salary bumps is the annual cost-of-living adjustment. Has traditionally been about 3%, but has been ZERO for the last few years. |
Anonymous
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Unless he goes into managment, which is not SES, necessarily, he doesn't have any potential at this time.
We've had no COL for several years, so unless you've been getting step increases up the ladder, your salary today is the same it was 3 years ago. In my agency, bonuses have been cut due to the sequester. And we were furloughed, so I've actually taken a pay cut. As an attorney, is he excepted service or bargining unit? That also makes a difference for bonuses when/if they ever have them again (which I sincerely doubt, to be honest). So yes, there is a ceiling. Management will get you into management pay bands which differ at each agency as to what they are called, how many levels there are, etc. But honestly, they aren't that big of a bump and you have to manage people for not much more money. I'm happy as a clam in my non-supervisory GS 15. |
Anonymous
| Oh and when he reaches 15 years he will earn even more vacation - 10 hours per pay period which works out to over 6 weeks. |
Anonymous
| Yes, he is maxed out unless he becomes SES, and even then he wouldn't get much of a raise. He has retirement, and beyond that, death, to look forward to. |
Anonymous
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Yep, maxed out till they start giving colas again.
Lol, did you really think many fed employees got paid more than 160,000? Most make under 100 or 110 at most, even with grad degrees |
Anonymous
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OP here.
(1)May I ask what is the prospect for a cost-of-living increase in future years? Forgive me if I am naive, but is it all dependent on politicians? Did it happen reliably for many years, but now it's not likely to return ever again? (2)Also, this sequester does not seem to have effected his particular office, at least he hasn't been furloughed. But I don't know if there were bonuses in the past. (3)I'm also not sure if he is excepted service or bargining unit? I think he's not in a bargaining unit because I feel like he would have mentioned that. MMany thanks. |
Anonymous
| hmm working for the government at 160k isn't enough? |
Anonymous
A bit odd that you are asking here and not him, but... 1. Not good in the near term, but at some point there will be. Yes. Yes. 2. It might in the future. We are just at the beginning. 3. He may or may not have. It doesn't always come up. It isn't like most people participate in it heavily. |
Anonymous
| There is a max for GS -15 step 10s and once that max is hit, nothing raises pay--not even an across the board pay raise (cola). The bump for an SES is about 25K although there are different levels of SES and the levels get more or less pay. All of this information is in the public domain and can be found at OPM.GOV. |
Anonymous
I don't think this is true - a cola increases the pay for gs-15 step 10. The whole scale shifts up. |
Anonymous
Most definitely not true. Here is hte GS pay scale from 2007, back when we still regularly got COLAs: http://archive.opm.gov/oca/07tables/html/dcb.asp Max for a GS 15 Step 10 was $143 then. |
Anonymous
+1 The max is set by Congress, I believe. So unless they decide to raise the cap, then no, he is maxed out and even COLAs won't increase his pay. Look at the GS scale, I think a 15-10 and 15-9 actually make the max and as COLAs are given, eventually, a 15-8 will make the max, unless of course the max is raised. But the benefits for federal retirees are great. Healthcare for life is possibly the best benefit. |
Anonymous
| Look, if you marry him, he's topped out. This is his salary. Unless he does ses, which has pros and cons, or unless the colas start up again. Accept it or find someone else. |
Anonymous
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Are you loving him because his salary and future salary increase potential or who he is?
$155K per year and GS15 in 12 years in government. He is very smart guy. I am not sure you are expecting. "Enjoy the view where you are rather than keep looking up". If you do keep looking up, you life will be miserable. |