| Much to my surprise US Civilian employees do not | | | | While volunteering does not assure that he will in |
| get the same benefits and tax breaks given | | | | fact have the opportunity to go, I have had |
| those in the private sector. While all the housing | | | | several emotional thoughts today from fearful to |
| and travel allowances are not taxable there | | | | anger. |
| Danger Pay, Post Allowance and Post Differential | | | | I am left with a business to run, two aging corgis, |
| is fully taxable. In addition, their overtime is | | | | aging parents, 3 acres to mow, a water filtration |
| capped and their overall pay reduced to not | | | | system to learn to operate and 3 long years to |
| exceed that of a GS15 level. | | | | be by myself if he is accepted. |
| They get a step increase in my husband's case is | | | | Many of his co-workers have reported back |
| to a GS12 level and the differentials since they | | | | nothing but good things about the tour of duty. |
| appear on their W-2 are counted toward the "high | | | | Thank goodness they take them first on a |
| 3" in calculating their retirement. | | | | 90-day trail before you are locked into the 3 |
| After many years of my husband's pay stub | | | | years. Even so, there is no benefit for a widow |
| clearly stating that he is "non-exempt" under the | | | | should something happen. You would get the |
| FLSA, Fair Labor Standards Act, I finally have to | | | | calculated pension benefit minus the deduction for |
| speak out against this "unfairness" toward the | | | | any years under 55 years of age. |
| government employee that this law does not | | | | My husband has been supportive in my every |
| apply to them. As a GS11 he is an hourly | | | | whim over the years. Going back to school, |
| employee and under the law should be paid | | | | starting a business and moving from CA to NC to |
| overtime for all work over 40 hours per week, | | | | be closer our grandson. |
| but the federal government is not subject to their | | | | I am doubting myself too. I have grown to rely |
| own laws! He gets credit hours in lieu of overtime | | | | on that truck pulling in the driveway at 3 p.m. The |
| pay. | | | | dogs expect their bone at 3:05 p.m. My car's |
| Having a background in HR in the private sector, | | | | every need is met without asking. The lawn is |
| this has always rubbed me the wrong way. Had | | | | mowed, trash taken out and a strong back ready |
| the overtime been paid we won't be looking a | | | | to help whenever asked. |
| such a drastic measure to boost his retirement | | | | Do the benefits make this worth while? I think |
| income. | | | | NOT. |