Readers' Comments
Total Comments: 36
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Is There Life After Retiring from the Federal Government? One Retiree’s Perspective
Total Comments: 36
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March 16, 2010
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Retirement
Dept of Veterans Affairs
Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:45 AM
Post Reply
I retired in early January after 23 years of service at the VA. I had a small pension from the VA and had contributed to the TSP and had two IRA's. I am 60 and had planned to work another six or seven years.
I noticed that most people who retired were either sick, angry or both. I was neither and it came to me that I should quit while I was ahead.
I spend my time taking college courses and doing volunteer work in two Elementary schools. I enjoy what I am doing and feel my decision to retire under the above circcumstances was one of the best decisions of my life.
Steve B.
Retirement
USDA-Rural Development
Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:11 AM
Post Reply
Thank you so much Steve for the candid article. I am looking at early retirement and am reluctant - have no plan but know I want to work at something. I enjoyed your article and am printing it for my husband to read. Thanks again!!
Retirement/working at home
NAVAIR
Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:18 AM
Post Reply
Well written and the injected humor makes me want to read more of the perils and pleasures of retirement. As a 55 yr old baby boomer with 30 years under my belt, and who is not an upwardly mobile job hopper but has enjoyed the stability of a few good positions, the transition to the afterlife of retirement is somewhat worrisome and your experiences help with things one needs to consider. Thanks.
Rank has its privileges
DOL
Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:46 AM
Post Reply
Mr. Opperman is very fortunate in that he was so high in the food chain that he was able to make a job for himself in his agency before he retired. Why should he be advising the typical government employee anyway since he is nothing but atypical. Ninety-nine percent of us aren't so fortunate. We can't create a job for ourselves before we leave the government so when we leave we are out with our "gold watch".
Re: Rank has its privileges
dod
Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:45 PM
Re: Rank has its privileges
DOI
Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:57 AM
Re: Rank has its privileges
DoD
Wed Jul 8, 2009 5:46 PM
I do not have a dog in this fight, so can afford to be completely objective concerning my observations in this matter.
HRO preparation
DOD
Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:31 AM
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I am eligible to retire, having met the minimum age and years, but I cannot afford the pay cut yet with a son still in college. I recently attended a two and one-half day seminar (at my own cost and use of annual leave) where the true experts on all things Federal addressed the issues of planning and finance. This is in direct contrast with the nine hours provided by our installation, which presents the bare bones of LTC, financial planning (presented by a certified financial planner with an interest in new clients), and Social Security benefits. I submitted a request for payment to my Division Head, which was denied. I feel the cost was worth it, but there is mass ignorance among our employees about this life changing decision. My planning is going well, but I know many retirees who are working out of necessity rather than preference. The planning and knowledge should start early on in one's career, and I believe that the HRO should do more to disseminate the knowledge.
retirement prep
DON
Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:35 PM
Post Reply
Good article. With over 30 years under my belt, I've learned that the mid-retirement counseling offered in the gov't happens too late. It should be mandated at new employee check-in, and again closer to retirement. Instead, we let employees root around on the internet, dial 1-800 numbers for help, and let them do retirement calculations on EBIS, assuming they even know how to. There is no personal assistance...no warm, breathing body to help. Not everyone has access to a computer and others don't even know where to start. Even the retirement paperwork is daunting. Not to mention that new employees (some, not all) are so overwhelmed when they start, they just don't understand FERS and the importance of TSP. Don't get me started. I've attended HR sponsored retirement counseling but had I known what I learned when I attended, I would have asked to attend at the beginning of my career so what investments I made could have had time to perform better. I was told no money for training
Good Article - Thanks
usfs
Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:11 PM
Post Reply
After all that, sounds like you made the right decision! One better, as you well know now, is that hand slap you needed when you were tempted to go for the "cookie jar". I'm not talking chocolate chip, but the urge to better (i.e. more aggressively invest) that TSP cache. Not only did you unwisely invest in stocks but you removed that 401k tax shelter/deferment! You expressed the truth that if your both a social creature and derive self-worth out of what you do best, retirement can be both liberating and a continuence of of who you are, and profitable too! I'm with you.