KevinD's Account Talk

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KD, Just to use me as an example, this month I have 40 years and 6 months of total government service. I will reach that 41/11 point the end of September 2012. Every month I retire before 41/11 would cost me $31.82 a month. That doesn't seem like too much but if I retired 5/1/2012 instead of 5/1/2011 that would add another $381.84 to my monthly pay check. It is a tough choice to make. That has to be balanced between the work BS factor, home life, debt and health.
 
Don't ever underestimate the effect of the work BS factor on you. Not many retirees ever say they wish they had worked another year. Except that Yo Yo in the news who retired early with a 46yo wife who doesn't work. :D
 
nasa1974 said:
We had a guy here at Glenn that retired just after getting his 50 year pin. He passed away within a year of retirement.
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There actually IS a 50 year pin??? I've never seen one. I've only seen two people get their 40 year pin. Yeah, they're still working because they don't have a life and would drop dead if they didn't have work to come to. As a matter of fact, they both also have part time jobs outside of the government. They just got to be around people all the time. :blink:
 
I think if you have over 40 years you get one with a simulated ruby (Cheapskates) for anytime over 40?
 
Mapper said:
Members of the baby boom generation wonder why young workers, like me, have such a hard time finding "good" jobs. Keep on working folks, meanwhile health care costs for aging workers have/continue exponential increases. Related increasing labor costs, largely attributed to benefits for retiring workers, prompt employers to cut labor costs by eliminating positions through attrition.

Most people in my agency that are "eligible" for retirement are waiting for some future "buyout" at which point no younger worker will benefit from the "open" position.

I understand potential retirees are scared to retire because they haven't saved enough to cover health care costs that scare the crap out of them and Social Security is under constant attack. But honestly folks, it's not too complicated to figure out why young workers are disenchanted.
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Mapper, Welcome aboard. I do not want to burst your bubble but back in the 70's when I hired in right out of the Air Force there was an apprentice class every year with at least 20 per class until the early 80's. It wasn't unusual for the old timers to retire with at least 30 years. Most of them were WWII vets. Then in the 80's Reagan-nomics hit and the apprentice classes stopped, retires were not being replaced and finally federal positions were being taken over by contractors. Those of us with 35, 40 and 45 years are sticking around because there is no one else to do our job. No one coming up behind us to take our place. I have told my management for the last year that my retirement date would be mid-2012. Have they brought someone on board to shadow me and see what I do? Nope. I oversee the onsite contractor responsible for the maintenance and repair of the high voltage (2400 to 138,000 volts) transformers, breakers, switchgear and underground cables. Not something you just turn over to a rookie. I am just talking about the federal government. I do not want to get started on the real world. :rolleyes:
 
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Nasa, you can see I edited my post. I agree that it's a shame you haven't received a young apprentice. This site is devoted to "investing in the future", in the workforce it's amazing how easily people confuse the ideas of saving and investing. I also think it's a shame the positions have been moved to "cost saving" contractors; for my own sanity, I'll avoid that issue. I am the stereotypical young worker, although getting older. I have been bouncing jobs and locations...advanced degrees mixed in...to gain some amount of upward momentum. It's a pain, and I've stuck with the "game" more than many I know.

Everywhere I've been the story has been the same. Everyone wants to retire, most "can't afford to" and almost every conversation about retirement involves coming to work simply to maximize retirement income (logical, yes; good for productivity, not necessarily). The "I've got mine and my concern ends there" mentality seems to be pervasive.

As I stated, mid-directed frustration. The story of the ornery postal worker with 40yrs ignited my frustration. I tire of hearing the same conversation from potential retirees at each location. I tire of people my age giving up on the hope of a career-oriented position in their chosen field. And I tire of having to consider moving locations to advance my career. At least in Federal Service my years can accrue, but I had to take a less desirable position to attain that "luxury". Now I'm searching for a more appropriate federal position which will likely necessitate moving again. At my age, if I leave Federal Service, 30 years at any place before I retire is a virtual impossibility.

Kudos to each of you who have served many years. I edited my post because that's where the discussion was and probably should stay, 30 years is a praiseworthy accomplishment.
 
We all want to do the best thing for our families no matter how long we have WORKED for the Gov't. I think that's honorable and the responsible thing to do. And they don't even give you a Gold Watch for 30 or 40 years service, just a stupid pin, while many of us were protecting our Country and worked hard as hell at it too. I Busted my BUNS for what I got and am DAMN PROUD of it!
 
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One more thing and then we should give KD his thread back.
Mapper I hear you. Both my daughters are not working in their degree field. You go on a job interview and they want someone with 3-5 years experience. How can you get that if no one hires you? And do not expect to work for the same company and retire after 30 years it is unheard of any more. There is no more loyalty from employee or employer. There was a statistic out there that said the average worker changes jobs about every 6 years. Like nnuut said we all do what we have to so that we can provide for our family. I know a couple of guys that have great degrees that are asking "do you want fries with that" because their company folded and the housing market put their mortgage under water. Was it their fault for being in that situation, probably. Can you blame them, maybe. But most of us never think about where we will be at 40 or 50 when you're 20 something.

Mapper. More than once most of us on this board has stepped up on the soapbox and put on the flame retardent suit. It was just your turn. Good luck and I hope you can retire when you want to not because you have to.
 
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