r/USACE • u/Patient-Molasses9833 • 23d ago

Might Leave USACE

I’m an early to mid-career civil engineer thinking about going private.

  1. Is it better to use up as much PTO as I reasonably can before I leave or leave it alone?
  2. Is it better to cash out my 4.4% FERS contributions to invest in Roth IRA/401k? It seems like the value of the pension is low until late in one’s career since the calculation isn’t inflation adjusted until age 62.
  3. Any other tips for someone with about 10 years of service?
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u/PleasantBenefit1872 23d ago

  1. Your immune system should be breaking down about now...

  2. Maybe? Just be damn sure this is the route you will take is my only advice. As a recent retiree, I can't tell you how mentally valuable it is (to me) to have a steady pension paycheck for life.

  3. Think long and hard about it. Again. I know you have already, as this can't be an easy decision. But this organization needs good people. Times will get better- they always do.

Best of luck.