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/EitherLime679 Computer Scientist 23d ago

Wait sick leave doesn’t pay out?

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u/mayorlittlefinger 23d ago

No, it counts towards time in service for retirement but is not paid at separation like AL is. It does sit there and is restored if you return to service though

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/sick-leave-general-information/

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u/Substantial-Ear6138 23d ago

Yup this is why the retirement counselors have always told us to use your sick leave versus saving it all up. Per the math, it’s best to use it. But good to have a little saved up in case you or your family run into a health reason to need it.

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u/mayorlittlefinger 23d ago

I played the game of not touching it to get that extra couple years of service but this year broke me and I've been using it a ton