I contributed 7% of my income to help fund that pension. I also paid income tax on my salary as well as on my current pension. I also have an IRA that I funded like you have.
I didn't make the rules on my "bloated pension." Our elected representatives did. You had the choice of working for the federal government. You chose not to despite the benefits. I am not embarrassed about collecting my pension. I earned it by putting myself in harm's way along with the many hardships endured by my family.
I support government reform of the federal employment system. There are many ways to make it more equitable and not exceed the benefits available in the private sector. But don't castigate me personally for the benefits I receive as part of the contract I had with the federal government on my employment terms and conditions.
Wow, what a story. I hereby award you “The Government Pension Medal of Honor”. Congratulations.
You are correct with this statement.
When I had that choice it was low pay but good benefits for a government job.
Now it is high pay and even better benefits.
I wonder how that happened over the last 40 years.
The parasites voted themselves pay raises and voted us tax raises in parallel.
That's how it happened.