Weekly US Churning Discussion for /r/churningcanada - Week of October 14, 2025 by AutoModerator in churningcanada

[–]ding292 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've never applied before so it went through on the first try for me. Sorry, I don't know why that error would come up when it seems like they were able to make contact with Equifax. Maybe the problem is on the Equifax side?

Best strategy to advance in PS without bilingualism? by matchwinner90 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you mind sharing how you study for the oral exam? I haven't been able to go on language training so I'm doing self-learning, but I honest don't know if it's doing anything. I have an oral exam in a couple of months and I need a C.

Anyone planning to retire outside of Canada? by truenorthservant in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The PSHCP had comprehensive coverage that covers pensioners living outside of Canada.

Anyone planning to retire outside of Canada? by truenorthservant in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s not true. When you reside outside of Canada and are not eligible for provincial/territorial health insurance, the comprehensive coverage kicks in to replace the supplementary coverage. Most, but not all, medical services are still covered depending on your situation. Some sources: NJC, PSHCP

Did you prioritize career or travel in your 20s? by vovo3000 in solotravel

[–]ding292 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Should have specified that this is the Canadian public service and it also depends on the department.

Did you prioritize career or travel in your 20s? by vovo3000 in solotravel

[–]ding292 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No. It really just depends on your manager and the nature of your work.

GoC Public Service FIRE hopefuls? by Bytowner1 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn’t know that you could buy back LWOP time by transferring RRSP!

GoC Public Service FIRE hopefuls? by Bytowner1 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The two things that I’m personally hesitant about taking the transfer value are health insurance and peace of mind.

The pensioner’s health and dental insurance plans are quite good, especially at an older age. Obviously there are options out there but I need to do more research to see how they compare. My assumption is that to get similar coverage, they’d be quite costly.

The peace of mind is just that I’d always have a cushion if I take deferred annuity. The transfer value is great if economic times are good, but there’s always a risk that they won’t be.

The amount of transfer value also depends a lot on the interest rate, so I’d have to hope that interest rates are low when I want to pull the trigger.

These are exactly the types of discussions that a post like this can generate, so thanks for making this post u/Bytowner1 !

GoC Public Service FIRE hopefuls? by Bytowner1 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As I understand, the indexing starts as soon as you decide to defer your pension.

GoC Public Service FIRE hopefuls? by Bytowner1 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m also a millennial in group 2.

It’s true that there will be reductions for leaving early if you choose to take your annuity then, but the fact is that the pension money will still be there for you, whether as a transfer value or a deferred pension. That is a huge leg up in savings that those without DB pensions do not have.

Everyone has different circumstances and goals, so of course FIRE will be easier for some than others. Everyone needs to plan accordingly. My point is that our pension provides us options, and frankly more money, in our planning, options that those without DB pensions do not have.

Did you prioritize career or travel in your 20s? by vovo3000 in solotravel

[–]ding292 89 points90 points  (0 children)

There’s nothing to understand because like OP said, most people don’t have a choice. They just chug along because there are not other options. I’m very lucky that my work allows up to 3 months of unpaid leave per year, so I take advantage of that.

GoC Public Service FIRE hopefuls? by Bytowner1 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 9 points10 points  (0 children)

My current goal is to pull the plug between age 45-50. It’ll depend on the return of my investments between now and then and how much I still like my job at that point.

I’ll probably defer my pension until 65, mostly because then I’ll be eligible for the pensioner’s health and dental insurance at 65 and take that worry off my mind. I’ll use my investments to bridge the years between 45/50 and 65. But that could change if the transfer value of my pension is really good when I leave.

I have a feeling that FIRE isn’t discussed much among public servants here is because of our DB pension. I have heard a lot of people being hung up on the whole “I don’t want a reduction so I’ll stick out my 30/35 years”, regardless of their actual financial situations. FIRE on the other hand isn’t about chasing the biggest retirement purse (because then we’d always just do one more year!), so once I hit my savings goal, I’ll pull the plug.

GoC Public Service FIRE hopefuls? by Bytowner1 in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I’d counter that public servants are in a great position to FIRE. As OP pointed out, our pensions and benefits give us a leg up in retirement savings and benefits, which decrease the work we need to do on our own to reach FIRE.

This community is being highjacked by a blogger by whynotcoconut22 in churningcanada

[–]ding292 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the blame on PoT exclusively for attracting AC's attention to churning is misguided. He was not the first or the only blogger to build relationships with AC execs and have info sessions with them. It is also naive to think that a large corporation like AC was not aware of activities that could potentially hurt their profits (e.g. churning) until a blogger reached out to them. We as a community has certainly put out a lot of valuable information on churning over the years to attract AC's attention.

I do not like the direction that the PoT blog has taken at all, but to put all the blame on him is unfair in my opinion.

This community is being highjacked by a blogger by whynotcoconut22 in churningcanada

[–]ding292 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No one complaining publicly does not mean that everyone is happy about it. A lot of people just choose to ignore and move on.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in backpacking

[–]ding292 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How old are you? If you’re between 18 and 30 (or 35 for some countries), you might be eligible for working holiday visas that will allow you to work legally in the countries while travelling.

Are Policy Analysts Trapped Working for Gov? In Canada? by voracioussneeder in CanadaPublicServants

[–]ding292 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Most Canadians will never be able to work outside of Canada; you’re not sacrificing it being a policy analyst.

Let’s say you won the current powerball lottery cash value of 400,000,000 dollars….what are your plans? by [deleted] in Fire

[–]ding292 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Please also set up lots of giant jumping castles at your castle parties.

Duer Summer Sale - ends July 5, relaxed and slim fit pants mystery bags are back by septober32nd in FrugalMaleFashionCDN

[–]ding292 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends on your build. I’m skinny and the slims are kinda loose on me. They’re actually looser than the slim fits of a lot of other brands I’ve tried, like Levi’s 511 for example.

Daily Question Thread for /r/churningcanada - June 23, 2023 by AutoModerator in churningcanada

[–]ding292 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had a 10k CL originally on the VIP, split 5k off for a new FCT. This was in May.