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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Not an FCPS employee and assumed that it was 15 years to vest in the retirement plan. This is based on my mother in law who works for LCPS. So it’s much longer than that?[/quote]

VRS is definitely 5% . I think the Fairfax plan is also 5.[/quote]

This post will be too long, but will address a number of things I see.

You "vest" after 5 years, meaning you can get some type of benefit. Overall, it is very small if you leave after 5 years. It is confusing to explain or understand as anyone who was hire before 2010 (I think that is right) is in VRS plan1, anyone from then until 2013 is in VRS plan 2, and anyone after is in the VRS hybrid. ERFC has not changed, I think. Bus drivers are not in ERFC, or were not before at least, they were in whatever county employee plan exists - I think it is FCERS. The pension for those of us hired earlier is much better. It is still not bad, but nothing like the defined benefit plan, imho, that we received.

When I started teaching more than 30 years ago, my salary was just under $20,000. Even then you were not buying a house on that salary. I think I paid my dues in 34+ years to earn the pension, but these pensions are pretty much gone everywhere because people live longer and are no longer affordable to the state, company, et al.

And yes, we have paid into these retirement systems (5% of gross salary to VRS and 3% to ERFC) our entire career and many also choose to pay into a 403b or 457 (which they should). And yes, we pay into SS and Medicare. The ERFC benefits basically evaporate once you hit Social Security age (which I believe is the point). There are options (as someone mentioned) of signing up for a level lifetime amount, which pays a lot less if you retire at 55 with full benefits, but does not reduce when you hit (or choose) Social Security benefits time so if you live a long life, you make out better. I have never complained about my salary (at least not out loud). The pension was a factor in staying in the public schools and not going private or venturing out in another direction. That can be a blessing or curse.

Some teachers I know/knew really needed to get out after 20 years or so and hung on to get "there." Others always thrived and decided not to take more short money for the long money of getting to 30 years. There is a big drop-off if you retire early, even one year early, so most who make it to 20 want to get to 30, as the retirement is not much better at 28 years than it was at 20 (at least in plan 1 and ERFC).

Sorry for the long post; it is not simple. It is a hard job (whether some here believe it or not), and you will not get rich. You can live a comfortable life, provide for your family, have incredibly fulfilling (yet also sometimes exasperating) moments and relationships with students and families. Nothing better than when I get wedding invitation's and messages from former students. I could point out the irritations, but why, we all have them.

The pay is lower than I think it should be, but is okay. The old pension is excellent, then new is okay (and most in the world have none). The work is rewarding, frustrating, exciting, frustrating, inspiring, frustrating.... The politics nowadays is definitely frustrating and can be disheartening.

All in all, a good career if you love it, or even like it. The students deserve teachers/staff who want to be there and give it their all. 
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