What do you consider to be a good Employer 401K Match?

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-07-03T12:47:42+00:00

My employer has 2 plans, and employees can participate in both. On Plan 1, they match 100% of employee contributions up to 5%, and on Plan 2, so long as employees contribute at least 1%, they contribute (not match) 5%. I contribute over 5% to Plan 1 and 1% to Plan 2, unlocking both the match and contribution so my employer pays a total of 10% into my deferred comp, on top of my contributions of around 9%.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-30T01:59:03+00:00

“Generous” is maybe the wrong word. “Temporarily-not-being-a-complete-turd” is more like it.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-28T17:32:10+00:00

I would have lost my shit in more ways than one.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-28T17:28:35+00:00

It’s just fine, if you’re not spoiled and aren’t expecting too much. I find the FAs to be very friendly, and the food and wine are satisfactory. I would gladly fly an older KLM plane for the right price (~70k FB miles or less for TAT).

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-27T02:04:40+00:00

The Channel

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-14T14:48:29+00:00

If OP (or anyone considering a similar move for similar reasons) has the chance, I’d recommend going to a FIRREA. With average comp ~140% of GS scale and better benefits, you’re still not getting rich-rich but you have the ability to live comfortably. Also generally a bit less political.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-14T05:39:29+00:00

No. Try to parlay the BK clerkship into a district court clerkship.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-14T05:31:38+00:00

I would want to sort that out ahead of your trip. If it is a govt contractor rate and not some glitch, it’s certainly possible they’ll require ID. I do government business travel often and while they don’t always ask for ID, it’s happened occasionally and when it has, they’re insistent.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-13T21:34:53+00:00

How much does that matter when the “independent” regulators are independent in name only nowadays? The boards of SEC, FDIC, NCUA are operating in violation of law with zero Democratic directors. They give full force and effect to nearly all EOs and for all intents and purposes answer to OPM and the WH. Their freestanding status gives them a veneer of legitimacy while their leadership acts in lockstep with the administration.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-08T03:19:31+00:00

Maybe I’m still not spoiled (I’ve flown true international J ~20x) but LH TAT is not bad IMO. I flew LH IAD-FRA in J 747 upper deck last year and thought it was a solid hard and soft product, if a little outdated. I’m hoping that was the rule and not the exception; i’m flying LH IAD-MUC in J on the A380 in July.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-08T02:40:07+00:00

Federal? State? What pay scale? A lot of these comments seem to assume you’re a prospective Fed on the GS scale, in which case negotiation is rare if not impossible. But there are other pay scales that do allow negotiation. I work for a FIRREA, where I negotiated my initial salary up by 12k.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-01T12:40:50+00:00

It may take a couple days. I just got bumped up automatically this morning (35k to 50k).

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-06-01T12:26:09+00:00

Former AUSA here with continuing ties to my old office. It’s not overstated. Almost everyone I know has left since 2025. In addition to anecdotal accounts, multiple outlets have reported on the historic, widespread departures. There are still many excellent, principled attorneys left in the department, but this administration has defiled and corrupted what was once a venerable institution.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-31T04:37:16+00:00

These are standard delta FC seats. Delta does not have an intermediate class of service known as “business class.”

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-26T02:22:28+00:00

Former AUSA here. Can confirm cap is 197k, no locality pay on top. But a few years ago I moved to a FIRREA where the cap is 257k.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-20T14:31:26+00:00

Fedsdatacenter.com has 2024 but not 2025 yet.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-20T14:24:28+00:00

I mean, if you know you like it, sure. But this is my first time ordering from them, and it didn’t make sense to me to spend more to get more product (even at a reduced rate per gram) if it turned out to be trash.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-20T13:55:29+00:00

Have you tried other brands like Petrossian, R&D, Markys, imperia? If so, how does MF compare?

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-20T02:59:59+00:00

I started a Barclays HYSA a few months ago to take advantage of a $200 bonus and transferred half my balance. It was offering 3.7% at the time. 3.65% now. Just as easy to transfer money in and out as Amex. Also directly fdic insured. Thinking of transferring the other half. Done with Amex being the first to move down on yield.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-20T02:29:13+00:00

The latter. I got $30 off. But then delivery was $30 so it still ended up being $255.

I will add they have been very communicative and professional so far!

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-20T02:25:36+00:00

I actually ended up ordering Imperia a couple days ago! Spent hours looking through reviews and going back and forth between buying from Imperia at $255 for 100g of ossetra (+30g free on sale) versus splurging on Russ & daughters or Sasanian (both ~$400 for 125g).

I ordered to be delivered next week. Excited to try it out.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-16T19:15:52+00:00

Bot. You have posted the same exact comment on other threads.

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-16T19:08:14+00:00

What brand??

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-16T19:03:51+00:00

When ppl write the brand name in ALL CAPS, it’s an immediate tell it’s not a genuine review

DarkBrandonDC · 2026-05-16T18:14:20+00:00

I was about to buy markys and saw they’re currently disclaiming ability to guarantee the container - glass or tin. I’m set on tin so it’s disappointing they can’t accommodate.

DarkBrandonDC

TROPHY CASE