Anonymous wrote:Op, I am right there with you regarding being open to relocating. I started saving houses in York, PA to my favorites on Redfin. I can afford to live there on my early retirement salary but not here.

York Pa? WHY? Why York?

Hi Op, How old are you?
So you are at least 50 with 20+ years of service (use sick leave for therapy including physical therapy if you need it), the physical therapy places now offer massage as part of the treatment in most places Flex spending account can be used as well.

Once you meet the MRA (minimum retirement age 55 or 57) you should do that and remember the supplement will kick in. Make sure you check how much you will receive from SS when you hit 62.

The FERS annuity supplement, also known as the special retirement supplement, is a benefit for eligible federal employees who retire before age 62 under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). It is designed to bridge the gap between retirement and the age when Social Security benefits typically start. The supplement is calculated based on the employee's estimated Social Security benefit at age 62, considering their years of service under FERS

Calculation: You will need to know how much SS payment when you are 62!

For example, if you have 30 years of FERS service and your estimated Social Security benefit at age 62 is $2,000, the calculation would be: 30 / 40 = 0.75. Then, 0.75 * $2,000 = $1,500. So, your FERS annuity supplement would be $1,500 per month

Therapy and medication OP. That's what my dh is doing as well. He's trying to stick in there until he makes minimum retirement age.

We are also emphasizing activities other than work, he has cut his work day back to the required 8 hours per day whether the work is completed or not, and takes the whole day off when he has an appointment. And takes sick leave, and no working from home, when he is sick. If they want to go back to 1955, we can do that.

Anonymous wrote:VERA will not be offered again anytime soon.

That may not be true. I can think of one agency that has already offered a second VERA. OP should not expect it, but there is no harm in being prepared to jump if it is offered.

OP, I think the most important thing to do is focus on your mental health. The good thing about your current employment is that you have health care. Can you see a therapist?

When things feel out of control, it's helpful to focus on what is within our control. Can you use this time to get your resume together? Reach out to contacts? Research which LOCL area you could move to?

I didn't take the first VERA and regretted it. Second VERA offer came and I jumped on it. No regrets! Financially, it was probably a terrible decision, but my mental health is much better and I'm no longer commuting 40 miles each way to work.

DH got medicated and knows working for an extra few years will make more money than taking VERA. Good luck, you can do it!

Anonymous wrote:What steps can you take to improve your mental health in your current position?

This is the key here.

Anonymous wrote:Op, I am right there with you regarding being open to relocating. I started saving houses in York, PA to my favorites on Redfin. I can afford to live there on my early retirement salary but not here.

Pittsburgh is really inexpensive and I don’t think our retirement is taxed.

We’ve all gotten worn down. You need to take a vacation.

Then get back to work keep your head down. Don’t make a name for yourself.

A huge way of crashing you just need to go under the wave where it’s calm and let the turmoil go over you.

Op, I am right there with you regarding being open to relocating. I started saving houses in York, PA to my favorites on Redfin. I can afford to live there on my early retirement salary but not here.

VERA will not be offered again anytime soon.

I’m in the same boat OP. Kids in school so I couldn’t take it. To make things worse, I basically hit my planned retirement date around the next inauguration, so I have to live through the full tour through hell that this administration is.

What steps can you take to improve your mental health in your current position?

Well, your big financial commitment hasn't changed, right? So try to set aside the VERA regret, since you made that decision for still-valid financial reasons.

But, you can still move to a LCOL area if you want. I always feel better when I'm looking for a new job, it's something hopeful to focus on.

This Spring, my agency offered VERA and a few months pay as a financial incentive to leave. However, I didn't take it because I'm not comfortable with my TSP balance and have a big financial commitment for the next couple of years.

I hoped to last a few more years but I don't think I can take this for much longer and find myself praying for another round of VERA. It won't be ideal financially, but my mental health is deteriorating. I am even willing to sell my house and move to a lower cost of living area.

I know you all can't tell me if VERA will be offered again at my agency but I needed to vent. Demoralized in DC.