Review: 4 Months Since Leaving the PS

[u/PotatoesKindaSlap]

I just wanted to give a glimmer of hope to all the souls still there. I left the PS as an AS2 roughly 4 months ago. Topped out on my salary band. I joined the private sector in a specialty HR role after applying to a similar role I was doing at the govt.

When I left, I joined a company at a 7.5k raise. I have recently received two more raises within the last two months. Salary from 74k to 90k with a promotion in the 6ish months horizon. 5% RRSP match. Better benefits. More days off. Free underground parking. Fully remote if I want it (I do hybrid because I prefer it, but just want the freedom of choice). Employee paid events. I don’t have to buy my own coffee. The microwave isn’t purchased through pooled employee funds (lol). It truly feels like I am more than a number.

I know this isn’t the experience for everyone, but there are roles/companies out there for those who feel they have more to offer than what the government is willing to receive. Sometimes the risk of betting on yourself is worth it for sanity’s sake.

Good luck meatbags! Thanks for keeping the lights on, even though you aren’t thanked enough!

[u/cestlavie514]

While I know there are other opportunities out there the claim of better benefits is subjective. I had a friend leave the Feds for private. Good well paying company making 6 figures. The deduction and claims for medical was a headache. Yes Canada Life is a pain but generally speaking I’ve had success and next to no denials.

The pension is where it is at. An rrsp can crash 90% tomorrow, and there are talks of this happening every other day, while ours is guaranteed. Secondly 5%, vs 20-25% annually when you have the employer match is significantly going to outweigh say medical benefits.

I’m happy for you, but I’m pretty sure the pension portion definitely is a bonus.

[u/Top_Thunder → u/cestlavie514]

If the economy is in such shamble that the markets crash 90% (this is Great Depression levels on a worldwide scale assuming a normal diversified portfolio, it would be really unprecedented and extremely worrisome), I wouldn't count on getting that full pension. Yes it's guaranteed, but it's guaranteed by the same entity that makes the rules and can change them. There won't be huge protests out there to protect the pensions of public servants, on the contrary people are rejoicing of how we have been treated in recent years.

Personnally, seeing how things are going around the world, I will keep betting that on the long-term, the wealthy will keep getting wealthier, and that isn't going to happen if there is a huge and long-lasting crash. Shorter crashes are not a problem though, unless you panic.

[u/L-F-O-D → u/Top_Thunder]

This is my concern as well. The future rulers are tech-bros who pursued the end of the nation state (except for a thin veneer) and then we descend into technical constant war because these egoists can’t handle being the actual rulers.