Return to Article: Senate sends 3.9 percent pay raise to President Bush
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65705
This comment is for the mother who was in the service who would love to make $80,000. I was in the service for 12 years. I raised 5 kids. I got out at a time when I would have loved to make $33,000 a year. To make $40,000 would have been a dream. I got hired by the government and have worked my way up. Now I make $111,000 and have one child left at home. It is still not enough. I dream of the day I can get $150,000. It will never be enough. So, point is, enjoy your 40K. If I ever went to college, I think I could have gotten that $150K. So a Master's is not always the answer when you work for Uncle Sam.
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63917
I would like to make a comment about the individual who states the government employees making $80,000. Boy, I would love to have that job, but my current pay is half that, and I remember being in the service. All my medical bills paid for, travel expenses, and moving expenses paid for, clothing, and housing, and I gave them 24 hours of my life for 3 years active and 13 years reserves. I am stunned at what the private sector thinks we make! Holy cow! To receive an $80,000 a year you would have to be a GS 13 or higher. I work full time, am a mother, and I am going to school for my masters. Let me tell you, when I do get that pay, I will be the happiest person on earth. Heck, to receive a 3.9% pay raise is great! I am not complaining because I remember the years we received 1 or maybe 1.9%. $80,000 that is a laugh!
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62461
Sorry to hear your opinion Jenny. You might take into consideration that there are thousands of civilian employees that deploy (numerous times in some cases, including mine) to combat zones around the world. A lot of us also have a lot of military experience (21 yrs in my case). Talk to our elected officials about why so many civilians are now filling former military positions. The great thing about our nation is that everyone is free to espouse their positions, regardless of whether they are thought out or not.
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61137
Under this tough times, we all have to be extremely careful to what we are asking for! Most people working for private companies when they get this kind of increase, they are happy. I worked in the private industry for almost 25 years, and when I got 4%, I thought it's a good increase. Of course I wish the increase would be 10 or 20%, but this is not possible. In the end, it's a blessing to have a job. I learned to be happy to whatever the life brings in. As a result, I live a better life without complaining.
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61065
It is so sad to hear all you Federal Civilian employees whine and complain about this 3.9% pay raise. You all sit side by side in the same offices with your military counterparts doing the same job that they do ( minus putting your life on the line by being on the frontline in combat)but yet are paid a heck of a lot more than they are. A 3.9% raise for a federal employee does not begin to equate to the same thing for a service member. While you are raking in your $80,000 annual salary, for less time on the job, less experience, more benefits, you are complaining. Take into consideration the fact that you have a choice in the health plan you select...they don't...you are given a matching contribution to your TSP account....they are not, and I can go on and on with comparrisons, so stop your belly aching and be thankful..you have a job. The Defense Department should look at cutting out some of these civilian positions that were crated which once was manned by service members and return them back to the men and women in uniform.
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60775
Not all GOV employees are "better off" some of us struggle just like anyone else, there are a handful of middle class threading water just to keep afloat. There are some of us caring for significant others who are dying of cancer or have passed away, we have kids, mouths to feed, bills to pay and are struggling just like everyone else.
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60716
obviously many of you really are not good with math. comparing the percentage increase of health to the pay raise is like comapring apples and oranges. Do the math: if you make $2000 per payperiod and get a 3% raise, you get $60.00. If you have $100 premium that goes up 10% it costs $10 more. You are still ahead by $50. granted it may not meet evryone's needs but really, be thankful you have a job
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60347
As some others have said, if you can do better salary, security, and benifit wise than the 3.9% raise affords you then go where you can do better.
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60310
If you all would only realize that we government employees are so much better off than the rest of working America, you would look at this raise and be very grateful. We have benefits that far exceed what an average American receives. I am very grateful for the raise and agree with Johnny Cahn's statement that we owe a big thank you to the American taxpayer. And I am totally bewildered by Joe Zinger's statement that we deserve this raise more than the military, who take time off to watch their kid's soccer games. Have you no clue what the military has been doing for the last 18 years? Here in Europe we have watched our troops deploy to Iraq in 1991, to the Balkans in 1995, to Kosovo, to Afghanistan and then again to Iraq. We read the Stars and Stripes every day and read the daily body count for both Iraq and Afghanistan. We attend the memorial ceremonies and cry with the families left behind. We see the Wounded Warriors getting treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Nothing that I do is equal to the daily sacrifice that our troops make every day. Our co-workers are the spouses left alone with all the family responsibilities for 12-15 months as their Soldier fights for America. No amount of money could possibly compensate these Soldiers and their families for what they contribute every day. Please open your eyes to the real pay discrepancy!
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60279
It doesn't make sense to me that while working in the US we get the 3.9% pay raise + locality pay, but the minute we go overseas we lose all of the locality pay. So, as Fed Civilian employee, I take my family to a 20% hardship post and we still make less than if we had stayed in DC, especially much less since my spouse has to give up her job in the US. We still have a mortgage to pay back in the US and renters are a crap shoot. So, if people wonder why the State Department cannot fill enough overseas slots with its people, its because we are not only being asked to serve our country in difficult places, but to do so while taking a pay cut.
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60106
The above disclaimer states we shall not use "obscene, harassing, defamatory or otherwise objectionable" comments... I object to the individual who refers to the civil servant as a "moron", most likely and individual collecting welfare but perfectly able to work, I take pride in the job I have done the last 36 years for the taxpayers, some folks just need to slam in order to make themselves feel better, hope it worked. Looking for work? There are lots of opportunities as a servant for the public come join us!
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60092
As a Fed Employee, I think we should all be pretty darned happy at the prospect of getting a 3.9% Pay raise.
The increase in Health Ins is not even a valid argument for wanting more. If you don't like what you are paying move to a different program. You have some responsibility to chose your health insurance based on your available income. Be glad you have a choice some don't and couldn't afford it if they did.
This country needs to begin to live within it's means, and away from the immediate gratitude attitude. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. If due to the increased cost of fuel you can't afford to drive, get in a carpool or bike or take mass transit. We have choices that many do not. We have become a nation of greed and quick fixes. Neither does us any good as a people. All of this should start with our government representatives and employees.
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60081
I agree with Ted in that as a federal civilian employee, I too appreciate ANY pay increase. However, I will not see the full pay increase for GS employees. I happen to be an employee under the NSPS pay system and I am limited to 60% of the increase, the other 40% going into the pay pool fund, element 2. With the restrictions of the control points within the payband I will not be intitled to any of the 40% going toward a base salary increase. So while other federal employees at least receive the full 3.9% increase us NSPS employee fall further and further behind.
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60077
Let me see - a 2009 3.9% raise and in my case a 2009 13.4% increase in the cost of my health insurance plan. There is no way that some if these insurance companies should be allowed by our elected leaders to rip off government workers. If the private sector can offer affordable health insurance to their workers then it is about time our government do the same for us.
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60067
My health insurance premiums are going from $79.82 per pay period to $142.70. I calculate that to be about a 78% increase! I'm about ready to drop health insurance altogether. As a single person with college age children still at home, I can't afford to lose money.
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60047
Thank you for the 3.9% pay raise. I know how hard Americans work to pay their taxes, and I appreciate that that my Federal manager's salary is higher than most working class Americans. I hope I truly earn every dollar I receive from the taxpayers, I pledge to earn my keep!
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60021
People need to contact their congressional representatives and demand that OPM contract a single health insurance plan for the entire federal workforce. This would force the insurance companies to come up with an inexpensive plan with higher benefits. I also suggest that congress needs to have the same health plan as federal employees. I'm sure that if this was the case, there would be a significant improvement over the existing system.
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60011
What a bunch of self serving, whining morons, like you people would ever be happy no matter how big of a raise you got. No wonder the country is in trouble.
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60006
Be glad you are getting a 3.9% raise. NSPS folks may only get 60% of the 2.9 % that is not allocated for locality. That comes to 1.74% for NSPS personnel overseas, because they do not get locality. Only base bay is calculated for retirement overseas. So, personnel overseas will not even get half the raise others will get and we also have the high increases in Health care.
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59991
As usual, never happy with what we are given. Saw one complaining that a 3.9% raise is nothing when compared to health care costs rising 18%. While not happy about the rising cost and something should be done, get real people. 3.9% raise to your base salary covers the cost for health care EASILY. In most cases, the increase to your cost for care is about 5 to 15 dollars a check and I'm quite sure your raises are more than that!
Besides, when Barack gets in office all our taxes will be raised so he can have universal health care so you won't have ANY money left.
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59872
So we are supposed to get the same raise as the military personnel. That will signal a break from history. It was always thought that civilians should get less than the armed forces because we are not putting our lives on the line while they are. It's a good proposal but I can't see this avoiding the veto pen. I would also note that, even with the raise, we are still behind the increase in inflation and the cost of living index. It has been said in the media that people working for the government have it made, soft jobs, job security and guaranteed raises. Some how I don't find that to be the case. I should also note that, should I get the proposed raise, my increased insurance premiums will eat it all up and more besides. Why can't the government keep insurance costs in line, at least with the compapnies it contracts with? I will be grateful for any raise, even if most of it is gone before I see it.
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59857
While federal employees are only getting a 3.9 percent pay increase in 2009, our premiums for health insurance will be rising in the double digits (as high as 18 percent) for some. And along with these premium increases, co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance is rising, so federal employees are receiving a double whammy! This is not the first year that this has happened. It has been happening on a regular basis the past few years. How can anyone get ahead when their expenses increase at a much higher percentage rate than their pay does?
I think it's a shame that the government, employing hundreds of thousands of employees cannot do a better job in negotiating with health insurers. What would happen if the federal government did not renew their contract with the larger insurers (e.g., Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Mail Handlers)because of their rate hikes. Don't you think that maybe these insurers and others would think twice before they wanted such a high increase year after year?
I do not believe that OPM has the best interests of the federal employees in mind when they allow the health insurers to continually raise premiums at such an outrageous percentage.
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59855
Please do pay raise 3.9% will help with the Gas and Electic bills of most federal home owners.
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59822
With high unemployment a slowing economy the taxpayers should not have to carry any additional burdens especially a pay raise for CS. Pay should be frozen until we have a better handle on the economy besides its not needed
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59805
My guess is President Bush will use an old Ronnie Reagan saying: " W E L L"
Considering what happened this week with the bail out vote.
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59794
This is good news in a weakening economy.
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59784
The proposed 3.9% increase is absolutely necessary, and will be appreciated. I am a Federal Government employee in South Mississippi who lost everything to Katrina. I was fortunate to have insurance to help me re-build; but insurance did not cover the total loss (and many of us were not eligible for any type of grants. I literally had to fight for an SBA loan). Now, in 2008 because of tax and insurance increases, the escrow for my house has increased $400.00 per month. What everyday working person can afford an additional $400.00 a month, not to mention the inflated cost for gas, groceries, etc. Also, it has recently been announced that our health insurance will be increasing in 2009 by 7 to 13.9%. Folks, I recommend you invest in companies that produce cardboard boxes - because that is where many of us will be living soon!
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59775
As usual, a 3.9% raise and our health insurance goes up 7.9% You can't win.
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59740
Too bad that between locality pay and NSPS, most DoD employees in "Rest of US" will only see a fraction of this increase. Don't understand why the military member who routinely takes the afternoon off without being charged leave to watch his kid's soccer game is getting the full 3.9%, and I will get far less.
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59736
When will federal employees in Los Angeles, CA be able to enjoy the high locality pay that Houston, TX employees enjoy? Employees here in L.A. are suffering from the high cost of tax, housing cost and living expenses that Houston does not pay experience, but are paid higher locality pay.
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59730
As a federal civilian employee, I really appreciate ANY pay increase, however... It's really too bad that the cost of housing and energy isn't included in computing an area's actual cost of living. If energy and housing costs were added to a "cost of living" increase, a pay increase should be somewhere in the vicinity of 15%. Lets also add that any "pay increase" does not include items like health benefits premium increases (like mine @ 12.5%) eating away at disposible income. Thanks! to all for the effort of the 3.9% raise this year. That much will be a definate help, and is certainly appreciated!
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