Obama Orders Pay Raise for Biden, Members of Congress, Federal Workers

[ShintaiDK]

Freedom is a funny word. I see alot of people proclaiming freedom on the expense of other peoples freedom.

[xaeniac]

Originally Posted by Throckmorton

$28k/yr is overpaid? Because that's what a grunt in the military makes.

Is this with benefits factored in? What rank?

[ShintaiDK]

28K as a grunt sent to afghanistan/iraq? A danish grunt get around 82K a year for that.

[Londo_Jowo]

Originally Posted by Throckmorton

$28k/yr is overpaid? Because that's what a grunt in the military makes.

That's the base salary E-4 with 4 years service makes, this does not include any benefits, allowances, or bonuses.

http://www.militarypaychart.us/historical/2012-chart/

[Londo_Jowo]

Originally Posted by ShintaiDK

28K as a grunt sent to afghanistan/iraq? A danish grunt get around 82K a year for that.

Based on the salary ranges for Denmark, I would say only a senior officer would be receiving a salary of that amount.

http://www.payscale.com/research/DK/...Denmark/Salary

[IGBT]

no surprise. In the obama welfare wonderland everybody gets a raise and or no show jobs at the tax payer expense. Elections have consequences.

[Wreckem]

Originally Posted by Londo_Jowo

That's the base salary E-4 with 4 years service makes, this does not include any benefits, allowances, or bonuses.

http://www.militarypaychart.us/historical/2012-chart/

Total yearly compensation for an E-4 is around $40k a year.

Then you also have to add on top of that the GI Bill, as well as some states that waive tuition and fees for vets that have already used their GI bill.

Military people have a "low" base salary, but get tons of benefits and other "pay" that aren't taxable.

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Originally Posted by Londo_Jowo

That's the base salary E-4 with 4 years service makes, this does not include any benefits, allowances, or bonuses.

http://www.militarypaychart.us/historical/2012-chart/

Yea, I get about 36k after taxes (I live in one of the highest areas for BAH though).

[Wreckem]

Originally Posted by Throckmorton

I found out from my friend who's a federal worker that they do get step increases. So there's not really a pay freeze unless you're at the top step of your pay grade.

While that is true, they aren't a yearly thing after the first three years.

Step increases happen each year for the first 3 increases. Every two years for the next three. Then every three for the last three. Depending on GS, its roughly $1000, $2000, or $3000 each step increase. It takes 18 years to go from step 1 to step 10. Most people get promoted to a higher GS before they come close to hitting step 10.

[Londo_Jowo]

Originally Posted by Wreckem

Total yearly compensation for an E-4 is around $40k a year.

Then you also have to add on top of that the GI Bill, as well as some states that waive tuition and fees for vets that have already used their GI bill.

Military people have a "low" base salary, but get tons of benefits and other "pay" that aren't taxable.

My daughter just got out of the Army after 6 years of service and will start college next month using her GI benefits.

I also served in the Navy for 12 years so I'm aware that depending on the base/area determines the allowances received.

Originally Posted by AyashiKaibutsu

Yea, I get about 36k after taxes (I live in one of the highest areas for BAH though).

My daughter was making a little less than that amount after taxes.

[Balt]

The consensus seems to be that the debt reduction deal will probably result in an effective 5% pay cut for most feds spread out over 5 years (they will be contributing 1% more of their pay to their pensions every year for 5 years).

So yeah, .5% is more than 0% but I don't think it's worthy of outrage. Despite what some would have you believe, you can't balance the budget just by paying federal employees less.

[ShintaiDK]

Originally Posted by Londo_Jowo

Based on the salary ranges for Denmark, I would say only a senior officer would be receiving a salary of that amount.

http://www.payscale.com/research/DK/...Denmark/Salary

That link honestly looks like utter rubbish. My GF working parttime in a daycare is supposed to almost earn the same as a full time software engineer? I dont think so
A software developer for under 85K$ is considered low payed. A Sr. one would rarely go for below 125K$

I guess you also tried check what their survey is based on? Sr. software developer for 10K$? The amount of weeks is also wrong since you got 6 weeks. Dont use that site again

Here is the pay for service people:
http://www.fmn.dk/videnom/Documents/...igt_200412.pdf

Monthly and in DKK.

[tweaker2]

Personally, I like the idea that that miniscule pay raise will be put right back into the economy vs. the hoarding the rich are into as they compete with each other ala "King of The Hill".

[ShintaiDK]

Originally Posted by tweaker2

Personally, I like the idea that that miniscule pay raise will be put right back into the economy vs. the hoarding the rich are into as they compete with each other ala "King of The Hill".

Exactly. Only 400 americans sit on what, 50% of all US wealth? Their entire wealth essentially only constribute for higher living expenses for the average joe. Rich people dont spend anymore money when getting tax cuts. They dont spend less either when taxed higher. However the amount of money working in the society gets higher.

[Elfear]

Originally Posted by conehead433

Yes, they already make too much for doing little to nothing. If any of these asshats performed similarly in the private sector they would all be fired.

As a federal employee I take issue with that. I work with some very hard-working individuals who would have no problem excelling in the private sector. Are there govt. employees who don't earn their keep? Absolutely, but in my experience they make up a very small minority. Having worked in multiple private sector jobs I can say that lazy people aren't exclusive to the public sector.

When I graduated from college and decided to enter civil service I started out making 25% less than my classmates who went into the private sector. Most college-educated federal employees start out at a GS-7 salary which is currently about $36k. Does that sound overpaid in your opinion?

After three years of no COLA increases a 0.5% raise would be nice but it really isn't that big of a deal if Congress doesn't approve. I'm just grateful to have a job in this tough economic climate.

[Londo_Jowo]

Originally Posted by ShintaiDK

That link honestly looks like utter rubbish. My GF working parttime in a daycare is supposed to almost earn the same as a full time software engineer? I dont think so
A software developer for under 85K$ is considered low payed. A Sr. one would rarely go for below 125K$

I guess you also tried check what their survey is based on? Sr. software developer for 10K$? The amount of weeks is also wrong since you got 6 weeks. Dont use that site again

Here is the pay for service people:
http://www.fmn.dk/videnom/Documents/...igt_200412.pdf

Monthly and in DKK.

Yet when you consider the 50% tax on their salary, they're not making more than their US counterparts.

[ShintaiDK]

Originally Posted by Londo_Jowo

Yet when you consider the 50% tax on their salary, they're not making more than their US counterparts.

You have much to learn about danish tax I can hear. Its not really going so well for you with those claims you make?
You can calculate the tax here. Or tax system is 100% electronic and for most people fully automated.
http://www.tastselv.skat.dk/fskbrgn2...dkomstaar=2013

Earning whats equal to 85K$ a year give you an effective taxrate of around 37%.

Plus no need to pay for healthcare, education and such either. All payed via the tax.

[Londo_Jowo]

Originally Posted by ShintaiDK

You have much to learn about danish tax I can hear.

Unless google's translator is incorrect every pay grade mentioned a 50% tax.

Originally Posted by ShintaiDK

And yes, they do make more. No need to pay for healthcare, education and such either.

Nor do the members of the US forces.

[ShintaiDK]

Originally Posted by Londo_Jowo

Unless google's translator is incorrect every pay grade mentioned a 50% tax.

To pay an effective 50% tax in Denmark. You would have to earn around 353500$ a year.

Originally Posted by Londo_Jowo

Nor do the members of the US forces.

And around 1/4th of the pay from service people abroad if free of tax.

[FerrelGeek]

Originally Posted by Throckmorton

It's wrong for workers to not have their salaries go down every year due to inflation?

I went 4 years without a raise due to the economy, and one of those years wound up being a pay cut. The home values in the greater DC area are one of the few places in the country where they're rising - and they're already some of the highest in the country. The fed workers also get to retire after 30 years with a nice pension while the private sector stiffs have to work until their late 60s to help finance the public sector.

Cry me a river if I'm not sympathetic to the plight of the poor federal worker.

[soulcougher73]

Id rather it be spent on this than a war or something..oh wait.

[Jimzz]

Originally Posted by FerrelGeek

I went 4 years without a raise due to the economy, and one of those years wound up being a pay cut. The home values in the greater DC area are one of the few places in the country where they're rising - and they're already some of the highest in the country. The fed workers also get to retire after 30 years with a nice pension while the private sector stiffs have to work until their late 60s to help finance the public sector.

Cry me a river if I'm not sympathetic to the plight of the poor federal worker.

Define "nice". Most Feds fall under FERS which does not have the old sweet pension that was under the old CERS system. Also starting in 2013 FERS+ kicks in and replaces FERS which means Fed Employees have to pay more into the "nice" pension.

[Throckmorton]

Originally Posted by Wreckem

While that is true, they aren't a yearly thing after the first three years.

Step increases happen each year for the first 3 increases. Every two years for the next three. Then every three for the last three. Depending on GS, its roughly $1000, $2000, or $3000 each step increase. It takes 18 years to go from step 1 to step 10. Most people get promoted to a higher GS before they come close to hitting step 10.

Another benefit of being a Federal worker-- you can get promoted. At Maui County we had NO promotions. So without step increases my salary went down every year. The only way to move up was to wait for someone to die/retire.

[Jeff7]

Originally Posted by IronWing

Yep, 0.5% raise after a three year pay freeze. Why that's only 6.5% below inflation for the period! They be livin' large!

Ah, not bad. I was worried it'd be something crazy, like 5% past inflation, or more.

Originally Posted by s0me0nesmind1

It's funny considering there is tons of real world business experience showing CEO's that take a $1 paycheck temporarly when the company is in need of financial help.

Needless to say, I think we can say that our country is in that situation as well. What could be earned respect is just me nodding with the eyes rolled back into my head saying "Not surprised". People defending this action? Head in the ass, and ass in the sand.

How does that work as far as taxes go then?
Regular pay: $1. Income tax bracket: Lowest.
Other compensation: Stocks, and I don't know what else. Tax bracket: Capital gains level? Deferred taxes?

Oh no, please, no. Don't pay me in such a way that it reduces my tax burden. You monsters.

Originally Posted by Engineer

Congress should give back about 1/2 of their money because they aren't worth a dime. As for Biden, same. For general federal workers though, this is peanuts of a raise compared to the private sector. Other than Congress and Biden, 404 - pissed off not found.

Can that include all the bribes they take in from lobbyists and special interests? I'm sorry, not bribes. "Donations."

Private sector: At least where I'm at, shortly after I started with the company, there was a hiring freeze, wage freeze, then layoffs, and a 32hr workweek for several months. That's going to take a good bit to build back up to. Add in there the healthcare costs, though they've been pretty good about having the company take on the brunt of the cost increase. I only pay about $2.50/week for medical coverage, though our deductible has been steadily creeping up from the $0 of the past.

[eskimospy]

Originally Posted by ShintaiDK

And around 1/4th of the pay from service people abroad if free of tax.

If you're in a combat zone (like Afghanistan) all of your pay is tax free in the US military. Depending on your rank, even when you're at home in the US a considerable portion of your pay is untaxed.

Reading base pay for people in the US military is very misleading. When I got out my base pay only accounted for about 60% of my actual take home salary.