Love this thread, but have ? for those who have left or plan on leaving sometime in your 50s--what are you doing for medical benefits? i am trying my best to save as much a possible for retirement so I can leave in my late 50s, but not sure how the medical benefits work in retirement under FERS. Thanks.

I'm a supervisory 15 just counting the minutes. Staff acts like babies, some don't want to work, and the management administrivia is soul-crushing. I keep thinking I can make it better or fix it but then something else happens that just sucks the heart out of me. Between upper management shenanigans, congress, and immature staff it's just awful.

I am trying to plan my escape.

DH is a GS-14, been there for 2 years, hoping he makes it until at least 5, 10 will be seriously stretching it.

Anonymous wrote:I started as a general engineer as well.
I am now operations research. The good news is that their will be an increase vacancies and in particular your series will be harder to fill/eliminate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's your job series?

I was a GS-15 by the time I was 29 but had to take promotions outside of current Fed agency.

Anonymous wrote:I'm starting as a GS-7 right out of college. My track has potential to a GS-13. I plan to at least stay that far, if it doesn't take a huge amount of time. Do you think that is possible in 10 years? Then, I will think about private sector.

I am in series 0801. I have a feeling when I get to the 12-13 range I will have to take promotions outside of my agency, because of seniority and budget reasons.

I'm not sure how I feel about operations research. A bit too math heavy. I would rather do something chemistry-heavy. Why do you say there is an increase in vacancies in our field?

I didn't join the feds until my late 30s but I am hoping/planning to stay til 60. I do have a great job-- interesting and important work, not too much extra time, and good enough pay (even if I could make twice as much in the private sector). If it gets too annoying (esp. fighting with the IT systems or President Cruz' second term) and I can afford to leave sooner I would.

I've been in for over a decade, and I'm not sure when I'll leave. The easy 9 to 5 schedule, $158,000, and freedom on weekends is worth so much to me.

I started as a general engineer as well.
I am now operations research. The good news is that their will be an increase vacancies and in particular your series will be harder to fill/eliminate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's your job series?

I was a GS-15 by the time I was 29 but had to take promotions outside of current Fed agency.

Anonymous wrote:I'm starting as a GS-7 right out of college. My track has potential to a GS-13. I plan to at least stay that far, if it doesn't take a huge amount of time. Do you think that is possible in 10 years? Then, I will think about private sector.

I am in series 0801. I have a feeling when I get to the 12-13 range I will have to take promotions outside of my agency, because of seniority and budget reasons.

Anonymous wrote:What's your job series?

I was a GS-15 by the time I was 29 but had to take promotions outside of current Fed agency.

Anonymous wrote:I'm starting as a GS-7 right out of college. My track has potential to a GS-13. I plan to at least stay that far, if it doesn't take a huge amount of time. Do you think that is possible in 10 years? Then, I will think about private sector.

I am in series 0801. I have a feeling when I get to the 12-13 range I will have to take promotions outside of my agency, because of seniority and budget reasons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. I'm in it for the work life balance and job security. I just had my review with my boss the other day and he asked about my 5 year and 10 year plan. I told him I'm happy to be a GS-13 worker bee and cen't imagine the pay increase worth having to supervise people.

This is so me too. I'm 33 with 3 kids and plan on staying until I have 30 years in. My 8 year anniversary is next month. I would like a 14, but supervising is a no go for me.

Me too. GS-14, three small kids, started at age 30. I'll stay until retirement, although I will likely take the earliest retirement option available.

As they say, lifer losers.

I have 26 years, and could take a reduced retirement this year. Plan to stay for at least 35 years as hard as that sounds. 15 now with demanding job, might consider lower graded one as I get older.

With the way things are going, probably not. I'm seeing many people in my age bracket (late 20s - early 30s) jumping ship. It's mainly due to management and the fact that, most of them are not the least bit qualified for their positions yet get upset with their subordinates for knowing and understanding our processes better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yup. I'm in it for the work life balance and job security. I just had my review with my boss the other day and he asked about my 5 year and 10 year plan. I told him I'm happy to be a GS-13 worker bee and cen't imagine the pay increase worth having to supervise people.

This is so me too. I'm 33 with 3 kids and plan on staying until I have 30 years in. My 8 year anniversary is next month. I would like a 14, but supervising is a no go for me.

This is me too. I'm 32 & my 8 year anniversary is this Spring. I am lucky to love my job... Just hope I still love it until 2039

I'm a GS-13 in my mid 30s. Been a 13 for 4 years. Hope to move up to a nonsupervisory 14 in the next year or so. Like other posters, I will probably stay as long as the work is interesting. I haven't really planned out my next 30 years.

Yes, GS-15 now and planning to stay another 18 years until I'm eligible to retire. My work is interesting and I have a pretty good work/life balance and the flexibility to take days off when needed. May change my mind if I max out early in my career at the GS-15 level with no prospect of career advancement.