No retirement incentive for Postmasters, EAS or Carriers?
According to reports circulating on the web, the postal service has told the postmaster organizations that there will be no retirement incentive offered to postmasters. The USPS says that an incentive wouldn’t make sense, because postmasters who retire would, in most cases, need to be replaced. The organizations had suggested that postmaster vacancies would provide “landing spots” for other employees displaced by changes in the agency.
Another unconfirmed report says that USPS COO Pat Donahoe told a national telecon last week that there would also be no incentive offered to management (EAS) employees, or to letter carriers.
September 25th, 2009 06:20
With over 30 years in service, I am at the top of my grade, as are many other Postmasters and letter carriers as well. Even though I would have to be replaced, the repositioning of someone transitioning in to my job, would save the USPS money as the new person would probably be at a reduced rate of pay. I’ll probably just hang out ’til I’ve got my 40 years in and build up my CSRS benefit unless I’m given a good reason to go. The retirement funding liability for CSRS increases at approximately 2% for each year over 30. Even at today’s rate of pay, the USPS would avoid $16K of future expense in the first year alone if I were to go now instead of waiting for my 40 years. Pay me now or pay me later…. I still love the USPS. It has been good to me.
September 25th, 2009 09:36
Some carriers are visibly upset:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L4XxN06X74
September 25th, 2009 11:19
“USPS would avoid $16K of future expense in the first year alone if I were to go now instead of waiting for my 40 years. Pay me now or pay me later…. I still love the USPS. It has been good to me.”
If they are paying you $15,000 to go, that’s a savings of $1,000. I am sure the USPS would spend way more than that training your replacement. If you love it so much, why not work until you are 80 years of age, or 90.
Don’t just hang around for your 40 years, how about working for your paycheck until you reach your 40 years of service.
You should get out while you can and enjoy your life. Unless the PO is your life.
September 25th, 2009 11:25
Now that was funny!
September 25th, 2009 20:07
Will Roberts is soooo correct!
PM and many others like him, ought to “Get A Life” In spite of what many USPS folks think, there is a another world out there.
The problem is the skill sets developed for many vested USPS employees is not remotely compatible with the needs of private industry.
You actually have to work for a living!
October 2nd, 2009 14:43
It should be pointed out that Mr. Roberts wrote this during a time when most people are working rather than reading editorials and responding. Probably just a coincidence.
October 5th, 2009 16:28
With over 30 years in service, I am at the top of my grade, as are many other Postmasters and letter carriers as well. Even though I would have to be replaced, the repositioning of someone transitioning in to my job, would save the USPS money as the new person would probably be at a reduced rate of pay. I’ll probably just hang out ’til I’ve got my 40 years in and build up my CSRS benefit unless I’m given a good reason to go. The retirement funding liability for CSRS increases at approximately 2% for each year over 30. Even at today’s rate of pay, the USPS would avoid $16K of future expense in the first year alone if I were to go now instead of waiting for my 40 years. Pay me now or pay me later…. I still love the USPS. It has been good to me.
October 6th, 2009 22:05
PM, What makes you think you would have to be replaced? They should do away with ALL PM positions!!
October 18th, 2009 01:22
From what I understood, the 15K was offered to mainly clerks and mailhandlers due to the supposedly excess numbers of people in these areas due to the decline in mail volume and closing/consolidating of mail processing centers.
November 3rd, 2009 19:25
Postmasters are exempt employees, exempt from labor laws. In most jobs, exempt employees don’t have the nerve to ask for such things, because they could be fired. You need to thank the USPS for this right. The APWU and the USPS got this agreement together, You’re not union members, Carriers. look to YOUR union and ask, why not us?