Search:

Custom Search

Readers' Comments

Total Comments: 60
Page 1 of 5

« Previous | Next »

The Aging--and Retiring--Federal Workforce

Retire, not likely

Admin Asst
Forest Service
Wed May 7, 2008 9:35 AM

Post Reply

I'm 57 years old and working as a Term employee for the Forest Service. I plan on working at least 10 more years, more if I stay healthy. I would love to get a permanent position with the government. But try as I might, it just isn't happening.

Retiring Government Employees

Regional Vice President
Retired FAA
Wed May 7, 2008 9:40 AM

Post Reply

This should not be a surprise to anyone. The FAA has known (since 1981) that this problem would arise about this time - and yet, they have done very little to keep the pipeline flowing. As an ex-FAA air traffic controller, this issue has come up time and time again. The powers that be just looked the other way. Now we, the public, will pay the price!

It will be good to get fresh blood at the top

computer specialist
FAA
Wed May 7, 2008 9:40 AM

Post Reply

As a 44 year old baby boomer, I have little in common with the stereotypical boomer. It will do the FAA a world of good to get rid of the "old guys" at the top. They have been a huge detriment to our agency for the last 10 years. If you don't believe it, check the recent news headlines. An influx of new blood in the leadership levels will be fantastic. Bring it on!

contextless statistics

software engineer
navair
Wed May 7, 2008 9:41 AM

Post Reply

We are very often given statistics with no context with which to evaluate the numbers given. Are thes worst-case numbers (as are those often published for SSA?). Are they assuming that everyone eligible will retire at the earliest opportunity? Are they using actual historical metrics (horrors! the M word!)? Have they POSSIBLY tweaked any historical trends with data derived from polls of people in the 50-65 age group? We just don't know. I am less than impressed when I am presented with such naked numbers and am skeptical of them at best.

Aging Work Force

Area Specialist
USDA - Rural Development
Wed May 7, 2008 9:42 AM

Post Reply

We need to encourage older workers to retire now so we can replace them now with younger workers. Also, who was it that ever retired that we could not do without? Some older workers are valuable, but not all. Some were promoted just because they were older and outlasted the competition.

Re: Aging Work Force

Project Engineer
USAF
Wed May 7, 2008 10:03 AM
Right on !!!! Put me at the yop of RIF list.

Re: Aging Work Force

Agent
IRS
Wed May 7, 2008 10:19 AM
That also can be said of some younger workers my friend. At the IRS, the agency that brings in the money to fund all of you guys, a re0rganization 8 years ago excerbated the problem by segmenting the various divisions within the agency. The problem is the normal bridge that connected agents doing less complex audits to those doing the complex multi-national corporations was removed and the so called "glass ceiling" was installed preventing the normal progression from junior agent to senior agent. The junior agents use to get temporary work assignments with the senior agents to enhance their technical skills. This has been eliminated. Now the senior agents are replaced by people from the outside, which may be fine when times are tough but when times are good, the outsiders get their experience, 3 to 5 years and leave. Also older outsiders come to work because it is a 40 hour week instead of 60 to 70 and after 5 years they take health insurance into retirement.

Re: Aging Work Force

Planner
A Big One
Wed May 7, 2008 12:58 PM
Ouch! I resemble that remark!

Actually, I'm counting the days until I can retire and will be out of here at that very moment. Some people don't know when to retire and have allowed their job to be their life. How sad. I know, others need to continue working for economic reasons; more power to them.

Re: Aging Work Force

Cubicle-confined Wage-Slave
DoD
Mon May 12, 2008 11:21 AM
Oh how would I like to retire!! But, the reality of the situation is that even though I have 37+ years of Federeal Service (No Military, all as a DoD civilian, including an Iraq assignment) there is no possible way I can. I am still on CSRS. I need a High 3 to keep from having to fight the cat over supper! My agency found legal ways to avoid paying moving expenses and PCS. We suffered a major financial setback on every move (8 total) although several were to avoid a RIF. We have since had to relocate back home to care for elderly & infirm parents. Since this was "voluntary" they "slimed" out of this too. We had to start over in the housing market, so I will be working at least 8 more years. It's a struggle as my Agency wants to bring in recent Grads at very low grades and push us out, but I go to school constantly and give 110% to pull my weight. A lot of us are in exactly the same fix. We are not here because we want to be here, it's because we have no other choice!

Not I

specialist
DOT
Wed May 7, 2008 9:43 AM

Post Reply

As long as I remain healthy and can contribute to the effectiveness of the organization I will show up for work every day, BUT I am eligible to retire (62) in 4y 10m 23d 4h 42m as of this post...............

Re: Not I

Reformed Conservative
DFAS
Wed May 7, 2008 11:32 AM
But who's counting?

I must not be an "older worker" since I don't remember any of the events listed in the article. I do have vague childish memories of my mother being riveted to the TV when the black horses were on (the President Kennedy funeral). I am not sure where that puts me on the scale of older and younger workers.

Incentives Needed

Fed Peasant
DOD
Wed May 7, 2008 9:56 AM

Post Reply

There needs to financial incentives such as extra earned/accumulated annual leave, a bigger TSP match, & a higher annuity payment for those feds who work past their MRA (minimum retirement age), which is 56 or 57 for many workers. Give them good reasons to stay on an extra 5 or 10 years!!

Re: Incentives Needed

Analyst
DOD
Wed May 7, 2008 6:52 PM
What about pay?
Total Comments: 60
Page 1 of 5

« Previous | Next »

Add a Comment about this Article

** All fields are required.
Note: Your comments will not show up right away. FedSmith.com selects the most insightful comments from our readers for posting. If selected, your comments will show up in the comments section after they have been reviewed and approved. See our terms of use for more information.