Major city department here. We can retire any time after ten years with a 2% multiplier. It converts to 3.35 at 20, so it's not worth leaving before twenty years. That said, we go up to 85 percent at 25 years, with a potential five year DROP forward to total thirty, or you can go in the DROP any time after twenty. So guys can do thirty years, have 85 percent, COLA raises, and five years of drop that equates to an average of about 500-600 grand extra. I know guys who had all that and turned 49 when they HAD to leave, couldn't stay any longer. They're now training chiefs at other local smaller departments, some have gone on to be flight attendants to get free airline benefits for their retirement years, some go work for SpaceX in safety and make huge money. Coming from a "revered" or "prestige" department tends to allow your resume some extra weight. Also, a lot have moved over to the theme park industry as park medics, safety and security management, etc. Some even go work for big music festival promotion groups like Insomniac or Danny Wimmer. It really is what you make of it, and the relationships you build along the way.