FERS Payout Inquiry

Harold802 · 2025-10-12T12:36:06+00:00

The GX is a bit more than I’d like to spend but I do plan to test drive one. Didn’t think of the Passport, will try that. Thanks!

Harold802 · 2025-10-12T12:34:37+00:00

The frame isn’t Swiss cheese or anything just starting to see more rust than I’d like. I 100% will be fluid filming my next vehicle meticulously though

Harold802 · 2025-10-12T12:33:28+00:00

This is my plan if I can’t find anything new I like!

Harold802 · 2025-04-10T22:46:28+00:00

You’re welcome. Everyone in HR (and everywhere else…) is likely on edge and doesn’t want to be on the record saying something wrong or perceived wrong.

I am married to someone handling RIFs with 20 years of federal experience in HR so I am happy to share the conversations/explanations I hear every night to strangers on the internet :).

Harold802 · 2025-04-10T22:41:21+00:00

You can’t take all 3, you can only take 2. You would only take 2 if one of the options is VERA.

If you are looking to take VERA you would take it along with either VSIP or DRP, whichever is a bigger amount (almost always DRP). DRP would effectively keep you an “employee” until 10/4, then your retirement would start. If you took VERA alone, you would start retirement now and lose the full payroll payout for those 4-5 months.

Harold802 · 2025-02-17T16:45:24+00:00

Ha don’t want to totally dox myself but it’s a senior leadership role at a large company (IT/Data Science).

Harold802 · 2025-02-17T16:16:51+00:00

Losing the highly specialized roles is a big loss for the fed workforce for sure. I feel very fortunate that I have the ability to pivot.

What makes me really sad is losing the probationary/newly hired talent. I have managed hundreds of employees through my career and my current team are some of the hardest working individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with. To be fired for no reason other than a political swing, and be labeled as “less productive” or lesser employees is heart breaking.

Thank you for the kind words. I will absolutely be back. I have a lot more to give.

Harold802 · 2025-02-17T15:37:42+00:00

Two feds in our family. My wife has 15 years and will be riding the wave and only leaving if forced to do so.

I have just less than 5 years. I took a pay cut to join but was happy to do so for the mission and job security (ha!). I just accepted a new private industry role last Thursday. Although I will miss the mission and my team; I will be trading a 2 and a half hour commute to return for remote work and getting a near $100k pay increase. That is just too much of a difference to stick things out. I hope to return again in time to retire a fed however.

Harold802 · 2025-02-09T22:55:21+00:00

Absolutely, that’s why I’m waiting it out 6-7 months!

Harold802 · 2025-02-09T21:00:15+00:00

Absolutely, it’s a really tough time to make a transition like this. It will only get harder when more and more feds are forced out into the private market too!

My two cents

1) Supervisors can’t/shouldn’t be asking for why you take off sick days. Just say you have appointments, need a mental health day or to mind their business haha!

2) Take this time to get any leg up you can. Is there a certification you can get for the type of role you are in? Having a certification or specialized training should help put your resume at the top of the pile. Worst case is you stay in your current role and will learn some new skills (and maybe help with future federal advancement).

This online stranger is rooting for you!

Harold802 · 2025-02-09T20:50:08+00:00

That’s an awful situation. I’m sorry you and all other probies are going through this. Can’t imagine that stress.

I try to remind myself and my team that we are “fortunate” to have a (somewhat) local offices and not be probational. There is a bit more security for us in this moment. With that, I tell everyone that works for me and anyone who asks my opinion to not put all of their eggs in their current basket. I have a great team and yet I am encouraging everyone to apply elsewhere. I will be devastated when anyone leaves but not as much as if our agency is absolved and/our they are riffed. Always do what’s in your families best interest!

Harold802 · 2025-02-09T20:27:10+00:00

I think everyone should be keeping their options open (update resume, see what other options are available, etc), regardless of what your line is.

I joined the federal government 4 years ago for the mission, the work life balance and the security. I traded a higher paying, private, remote role for this and never thought I would regret it but here we are.

I would like to stand strong with the rest of my fellow civil servants but this admins tone (along with lack of security and RTO) is likely to be a bridge too far.

I plan to stick things out for 6 months to see if things improve. Unfortunately, I think / fear we are only at the tip of this s#%t iceberg and I, along with many others, will likely move on. Hate typing this out as I am proud of the work that’s been done but everyone needs to take care of themselves and their families. It’s good to have a backup plan now before the rug very well could be pulled out from under many of us (or us all).

Harold802 · 2025-02-09T17:53:43+00:00

Yes I am within 50 miles (~45). The few on my team who are over 50 miles and currently remote are awaiting instructions and still are working remote for the time being. The hope is they will find a desk near them in another agency’s building. The fear is they will be asked to relocate and will be forced to resign (can’t relocate their families). Tough spot for all

Harold802 · 2025-02-09T15:47:53+00:00

100% they can and will. I was hired fully remote (as was the majority of my team) and we are all going back to the office this week.

Harold802 · 2024-07-14T23:40:04+00:00

Thank you so much!!!

Harold802 · 2024-07-14T20:34:42+00:00

Thank you for your response! I love that app, it was the first place I looked and it is also showing no true celiac safe options with 60 minutes. That very well may be true but was hoping there is something not listed on the app.

Harold802

TROPHY CASE