Networks only go so far when there are hundreds - if not thousands - of people looking for similar roles. These are unprecedented times for all of us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone eligible for VERA should take it unless they really can’t afford to give up their salary.

Most federal people in their early 50s need their salary. They are supporting their kids, finally building wealth. Your statement is ridiculous. And most GS 15s, ses, or finreg salaries are good salaries.

At 62 I would love to take VERA but I don't have 20 years in yet and won't be eligible for Medicare until age 65 (if it still exists by then).

I am still saving for retirement and my investments just took a huge hit. Know that finding another position in my early 60 s will be challenging.

Anonymous wrote:OP, this thread you have alot defeat in mind and your in the SES corp? Your responses sound like you have no network.

Opportunities you are seeking will be minimal at first in private sector. I am sure, things will improve next year. We are in coslidation phase with private sector going to get some highly capable public servants.

For the rest of us, I am going down with the ship. If I get Rifed so be it.

Anonymous wrote:DC Metro Area - what are the chances I land a decent senior executive job in the private sector in six months? Doesn’t seem likely. Or am I being too pessimistic?

Lots have Feds have no network — at my agency stay until retirement and one foot in grave!

OP, this thread you have alot defeat in mind and your in the SES corp? Your responses sound like you have no network.

Opportunities you are seeking will be minimal at first in private sector. I am sure, things will improve next year. We are in coslidation phase with private sector going to get some highly capable public servants.

For the rest of us, I am going down with the ship. If I get Rifed so be it.

Anonymous wrote:DC Metro Area - what are the chances I land a decent senior executive job in the private sector in six months? Doesn’t seem likely. Or am I being too pessimistic?

DC Metro Area - what are the chances I land a decent senior executive job in the private sector in six months? Doesn’t seem likely. Or am I being too pessimistic?

I’d consider where you live

This whole thing feels like a false “choice”. Scrambling around to decide in about 7-10 days without really knowing what the impacts will be. This is so hard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone eligible for VERA should take it unless they really can’t afford to give up their salary.

Most federal people in their early 50s need their salary. They are supporting their kids, finally building wealth. Your statement is ridiculous. And most GS 15s, ses, or finreg salaries are good salaries.

Yes, this is me! It would be incredibly tough to live on my husband's salary and my annuity. Health insurance is important, but we need my salary to deal with kids (college coming up, general life expenses). I would love to take VERA and spend the next six months looking for a job, but I just don't trust the job market right now. It makes me sad, but I don't feel like I have another choice.

Anonymous wrote:[url]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

How do you know you won’t be Schedule F?

Is this administration honoring DSR? Have any of the feds fired so far getting DSR?

It’s like exiting a building. You have to pick a door. You can go out door A or B. If you meet the requirements of DSR, you go out door B. If you meet other requirements, you go out door A. I don’t know how much “honoring” plays into it.

In ordinary times I think it would be pro forma, but now there’s a lack of certainty, and OP’s SES status may play into that as well. Not SES but I took VERA - my area looks like there is still hiring going on so I’m hoping something works out but no guarantees especially if the economy gets worse. You really have to think about your own professional area, resume and network weighed against your finances. We paid off mortgage, kids college money is set, etc… so felt more secure about it.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone eligible for VERA should take it unless they really can’t afford to give up their salary.

Most federal people in their early 50s need their salary. They are supporting their kids, finally building wealth. Your statement is ridiculous. And most GS 15s, ses, or finreg salaries are good salaries.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - in an SES position, so no Schedule F but they can basically already do whatever they like with us. Having a hard time imagining five more years in this environment, hence the appeal of VERA.

I took VERA and I’m only a GS-14! Cut expenses and making it work. Will just take whatever job I can get - service industry included. My husband works. It will be fine. Health is important.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are concerned about being RIF'd then I would just wait. If that happens you'd go out as a DSR- discontinued service retirement. My understanding is the benefits aren't much (or at all) different than VERA.

Maybe though you are concerned your position would be turned into Schedule F and you would just point blank be fired?

This is what my DH is doing. If he’s RIF’ed, he’ll go the DSR route.

I'd be careful with DSR. DSR requires an actual RIF. My understanding is that a lot can be done to your job and still not be considered a RIF. For example, if they relocate you, and you are still within the defined service area, that's not a RIF, but may add hours to your commute time.

This is more of a concern later in the year. My agency is prepping for a 50% staffing cut. It’s a RIF. A massive one.

I do agree with everyone though that VERA is the route I’d take if I qualified. I’d do DRP with a VERA at the end.

I thought the same thing, but the job market is making me extremely nervous. How long do you think it will take to find a new job given everything going on?

If I were eligible for a VERA I’d take it immediately.

Anyone eligible for VERA should take it unless they really can’t afford to give up their salary.