Anonymous wrote:How much pension do you really get if you only end up staying in the gov't for 5 years? Is that difference really worth it? I would start looking now. But I left after only 18 months and now love my job, have a great boss, and am making twice what I made in the gov't (with better benefits).

If your high three is $100K, you would have $5,000/year from 62 on. Doesn't sound like a lot, but you would need to save $125,000 to generate that income, so holding out just one year is a good idea unless the situation is horrible.

How much pension do you really get if you only end up staying in the gov't for 5 years? Is that difference really worth it? I would start looking now. But I left after only 18 months and now love my job, have a great boss, and am making twice what I made in the gov't (with better benefits).

Rest and TSP vest, BABY!

Seriously, most fed jobs are very low stress with easy time in level promotions - as close as a cushy union job you can get without paying union dues!

If you have 4 years already, you might as well get 5 and vest. Start looking at around 4.5 years, plan to get out after 5.

Leave

Anonymous wrote:Wait for five years, so the pension vests.

Fuck that. Run. Go, live your life. For me and the others trapped with golden handcuffs. Send us post cards.

Let us know someone made it.

18 year fed.

RUUUUUUUNNNNNN! For the love of God. Run. Do it now before its to late.

Wait for five years, so the pension vests.

Do you have your perm status? After spending 3 years in competitive service, I'm not sure what the reason to stay is if you're unhappy.

You'll have status when you leave in case you later want to return. Just look up the vesting dates, confirm all the details on your SF-50 are in order (mine took 6 months to fix), and then move on!

The USG is the fantastic deal it once was. If you have transferable skills, chances are you can get a higher salary elsewhere. Matching might be better elsewhere. Many big companies have paid maternity leave. This is a good gig but that doesn't make it the best.

Life is too short to stay in a job that makes you miserable because other people think it is a good deal. Start looking elsewhere. I say that as a relatively happy fed.

what are your options?

Anonymous wrote:Not all agencies are the same. Not all departments are the same. Not all supervisors are the same.

Why don't you try to find a different federal job?

Yes, see if you can find something else (while also looking outside the government).

Not all agencies are the same. Not all departments are the same. Not all supervisors are the same.

Why don't you try to find a different federal job?

I cannot give you a reason. I say "GO!" I was you 20 years ago before I got married. I so badly wanted to leave DC..back then it was a rat race to me, but I was afraid to leave the security of my federal job. I met and married a wonderful man, though, who is committed to DC due to his business, so I am still here. (unfortunately because I Hate this effing traffic).

Whatever you are doing, you can likely do in another city. What is your profession and can you do it elsewhere? If not, can you go back to school for something with transferable skills i.e. computers, healthcare, accounting.

FWIW, I have siblings in the Midwest..Neither works for the government. Brother is an engineer for one of the big automakers and sister is a systems analyst turned technical writer. Both have always had good jobs, but not with the same employers.

LIfe is too short. Go go go go away from this DC headache!!

Hate my job. need a salary. i want to move somewhere else. people say you cant beat the stability of the feds. But i hate my job. toxic environment. unsupportive management.