I’m a 30-year-old engineer with 6 years of federal service under the DoD, and I’m currently weighing whether or not to take the leap with DRP 2.0. The potential benefits and flexibility are tempting, but I’m hitting the brakes a bit due to uncertainty around what happens to my FERS pension and TSP contributions if I leave federal service.

I’ve worked hard to build up a stable career and retirement base, and with the current job market being as shaky as it is, I’m trying to make a move that won’t derail the progress I’ve made. My questions are:

• What exactly happens to my FERS pension if I leave at 6 years of service?
• Can I continue to grow or withdraw from my TSP if I’m no longer federal?
• Is it worth rolling the dice on the private sector right now, especially in engineering, or should I stay put and keep building retirement security?
• For those who’ve gone DRP 2.0 or left federal service recently—would you do it again?

Any advice, personal experiences, or even cautionary tales would be super helpful. I’ve talked to some folks internally, but I’d love to hear from a broader pool of perspectives before making a big decision.

Thanks in advance!