I too am 63 and a military retiree. I've been a contractor to a federal government agency for 26 years. The biggest bang for the buck from the governments perspective is have contractors bid every 5 years for the work. It keeps the costs down. Kept my paycheck not so great for 26 years but that's the nature of the beast.
GS-13's I work with work hard too but they get better paid, more benefits and security. Every 5 years I have to fight for my job. Every 5 years I start at the most bottom of every new company for leave accrual, etc.
As you know, as a federal,contractor, you can make more if you check ....
Woman
Anything non-White
Native American
Veteran
Handicapped
I have no problems with anyone being able to check veteran or handicapped.
401's only.....
granting lifetime pensions after 20 yrs is INSANITY especially since people live so long nowadays....
it must stop....
“GS-13’s I work with work hard too...”
Do they really? I grew up on the farm and have worked really hard for much of my life. I find it difficult to imagine a government employee doing anything I would call working hard.