Temporarily Suspending Retirement Contributions/Leaving Fed Jobs

[Anonymous]

We are two GS-14 fed lawyers who have always maxed out our TSP contributions. We've also typically done backdoor Roth each year. We both have other retirement savings from previous jobs. We have 529s for both kids but only put in large gifts from family, etc... We don't contribute to that regularly. My parents have said that they plan to pay for our kids' education and they currently pay for their pre-school. It is likely that we will get a substantial inheritance but we don't live like we're expecting it. In other words, we are amazingly fortunate, but we live well within our means and save as though we will have to rely on our own FERS/TSP/other savings in retirement although we will likely have several million dollars handed down before we hit retirement age. I have 8 years in FERS and my spouse has 10.

We have an opportunity to leave our jobs (which seems quite appealing with the change of administration) and to move away for a few years. We would be able to rent out our house to cover our mortgage, property taxes, etc... and would probably make just enough to cover our living expenses while we're away. We would no longer have TSP/FERS, obviously and probably wouldn't have a lot of extra income to put away for retirement. When we return in a few years, I expect that we'd both look to find either government or private-sector jobs comparable to what we have now.

Is this crazy? The opportunity is really once in a lifetime and our whole family is excited about the prospect of the adventure. Part of me is scared and thinks it's nuts to walk away from our jobs and part of me thinks that we are amazingly lucky to have a solid financial foundation and a very generous safety net and that allows us to make these decisions. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

For your family personally, I think it sounds great. As an American, I can't help but wish that federal employees would stay under this administration to provide a bulwark of experience and rational behavior against what's coming.

[Anonymous]

Sounds pretty fantastic to me OP. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

Carpe diem.

[Anonymous]

I think if you don't do it, you will always wish you had.

[Anonymous]

It might be worth having a frank discussion with your parents about your inheritance. How much, how certain, etc. it might be awkward, but if that is a big piece of your ability/willingness to do this, you want to make sure your expectations are reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It might be worth having a frank discussion with your parents about your inheritance. How much, how certain, etc. it might be awkward, but if that is a big piece of your ability/willingness to do this, you want to make sure your expectations are reasonable.

Thanks. My parents are very open about their finances. We've talked about it before and have ongoing conversations.

[Anonymous]

I would go for it, but I would caution being overly reliant on promises to pay for college educations of grandparents. While it works out most of the time, I do have two friends who were counting on something that never materialized and they had to scramble when their children were in the later part of HS.

[Anonymous]

In your situation I would absolutely do this.

[Anonymous]

I'm insanely jealous.

[Anonymous]

What practice areas are each of you in and how marketable do you expect to be upon your return? It's a tough market for lawyers depending on practice area and I wouldn't assume you will necessarily be able to get another government job.

I also don't really understand what the adventure refers to. Will you both be working?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What practice areas are each of you in and how marketable do you expect to be upon your return? It's a tough market for lawyers depending on practice area and I wouldn't assume you will necessarily be able to get another government job.

I also don't really understand what the adventure refers to. Will you both be working?

They will make just enough to cover living expenses? Seems tight. Any chance you can have your parents put the money for the kids college in a trust now, to forestall any calamity that devours their wealth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What practice areas are each of you in and how marketable do you expect to be upon your return? It's a tough market for lawyers depending on practice area and I wouldn't assume you will necessarily be able to get another government job.

I also don't really understand what the adventure refers to. Will you both be working?

I'm not all that worried about finding jobs upon our return, although I agree that we might not be able to get back into government jobs. We have a strong network and are both well-respected. We'd be moving overseas for an amazing job opportunity for my spouse. We could cover living expenses on what he'd be making. I would hope to pick up some part-time contract work from friends (who have said they have writing work they'd pass along) to keep my skills fresh and to earn a bit more. I'd hope not to work more than half-time to spend time experiencing the new country, spending time with our kids and learning the language (I have a beginner level in the language currently. My husband is fluent.) The cost of living where we'd be going is much lower, so any work I do would be paid at a disproportionately high rate compared to the cost of living.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What practice areas are each of you in and how marketable do you expect to be upon your return? It's a tough market for lawyers depending on practice area and I wouldn't assume you will necessarily be able to get another government job.

I also don't really understand what the adventure refers to. Will you both be working?

I'm not all that worried about finding jobs upon our return, although I agree that we might not be able to get back into government jobs. We have a strong network and are both well-respected. We'd be moving overseas for an amazing job opportunity for my spouse. We could cover living expenses on what he'd be making. I would hope to pick up some part-time contract work from friends (who have said they have writing work they'd pass along) to keep my skills fresh and to earn a bit more. I'd hope not to work more than half-time to spend time experiencing the new country, spending time with our kids and learning the language (I have a beginner level in the language currently. My husband is fluent.) The cost of living where we'd be going is much lower, so any work I do would be paid at a disproportionately high rate compared to the cost of living.

And I should say that the city we'd be moving to is always the city that we talked about when we dreamed about moving overseas.

[Anonymous]

In your situation, OP, this is a no brainer. Do it, and have a grand time! You only live once, and many of us do not get to act on our dreams.

So jealous!