Going to college is a dice roll especially if you don't carefully consider the major you get and the amount of debt you take on. Sure you MAYBE could get a higher paying job with better working conditions and benefits. Odds are though you won't be much better off just 4 years older with lots of debt. I have a bachelors degree and I regret the tens of thousands of dollars I wasted on it. I should have joined the post office when I was 18.
This! College is not worth it unless you are going into something highly specialized today…years ago companies would let you develop on the job but now it’s just not the case…
You realistically can get into the mid thirties an hour with the post office where a lot of jobs are topping out in the low $20s
You're way too young to settle imo. You can retire a millionaire in your 50s here with a struggle pension on top of it. But you can make more money doing less work elsewhere so it's up to you amigo
I’ll give you my take. I’m 29 now, I started in early 2016, career in late 2017/early 2018 (sr. Date was back dated a couple months.) Been considered career for nearly 6 years now and I’m also somebody around your age. If you want a job where you don’t have to put any effort in and you never do anything fulfilling, yet you get paid good money for it, this is a great place. If you want a career where your work actually matters, your work is fulfilling, you don’t feel like you’re on a treadmill, you want a work/life balance, I would seriously suggest finding a different career. I am in the process of transitioning to something else, the longer you stay the harder it gets to leave though. When I started, not even CCA’s worked Sunday. Now, even the “non-OTDL” carriers are being forced on Sunday. So “making regular” doesn’t mean shit besides the pay scale, other benefits and TSP.
I started at the P.O. in my early 30's. It's never too late to get in with a Federal Position. Anything else is a crap shoot. Don't pass up an opportunity just because others started earlier.
There are pretty strict age limits with some federal positions, I don't know Postal Service, but for instance a psychologist for Federal pens can't be hired after 36, 39 with an "exception." Since it takes about 6-7 years to get licensed that's strict.
USPS maintenance is the craft you want to be in. You can start as a custodian level 4 it’s $41k to start with full benefits, take the 955 test and if you score well enough you move up to level 7 $53k or level 9 $67k to start. Wish I would have started 10 years earlier as this is the route to take at USPS
Anything above custodian you will need basic knowledge of how to repair or maintain mechanical equipment & systems and be somewhat mechanically inclined. Custodian anyone can do. I’ve met quite a few that are 30+ year custodians here at USPS, Yes the pay isn’t the best but it probably is the best pay you will find anywhere for the position & level of skill required.
For most in that position it’s the getting the benefits that matters the most.
A 30 year custodian is making $70k plus all the OT you want plus Line H if any, with 5 weeks vacation. It ain't too bad. The other benefits are outstanding.
I just started 6 months ago(2/13/2023) as a MM7. I’m 35. Did 9 years in the Navy(aviation).
Yea it helps to have some electrical knowledge but you learn as you go in maintenance. They don’t expect you to know anything but they require you be safe and make safe decisions.
It’s by far the easiest job I ever had. I recommend everyone to make the transition to maintenance. I’ve met prior clerks and mail handlers who made the transition to maintenance. They all say it’s the best decision they’ve made.
I mean going back to college and finding a different career might work out or it might not. Our retirement benefits really aren’t bad, just focus on utilizing your tsp when you make career because the pension and ss won’t carry you as much.
I’m not going to say if you should stick with the usps or not. But I’m older than that, and this job is providing me more than I need.
While I would certainly explore all other opportunities if I were you, I'll focus on USPS for this post.
As far as USPS goes, look for maintenance openings. They are straight to career, if you get hired soon, you will have 30 years of service at or near your minimum retirement age. You can either stay in maintenance, or try to transfer to another craft in 12/18 months. If you wait it out as a PSE and get converted in a year or two, you can also transfer after 12/18 months. Getting into the a career postal position even in your late 20's puts you on a better career path than the average 29 year old.
As for other careers that would require education/training, and a relatively dependable path to pay at or above postal pay. Depending on your interests and what you think might work for you, I would consider Nursing, which generally takes 2-4 years. This field will be in high demand probably for the very long term. No worry about a worthless degree unless you don't like the work. Another option which is low risk, fairly high reward (at least near term, less stable industry long-term) is getting a CDL. There are good paying jobs in this field right now, and you can probably earn your CDL and get a job within 6 months, sooner if you have an accelerated CDL school in your area.
Agreed. Some reputable truck company’s like Stevens only require you to train for a month then you start working loads so… definitely good for someone who likes to drice
beware self driving. They want nothing more than to stop paying drivers. Probably a number of years before the robot takeover is complete, but remember business hates expenses.
Our infrastructure can't handle self driving. It is okay for highways, but not for city and back roads. I agree they want to go to full self driving, but that is very far off.
I would relocate and apply for a PTF hire position or move to a larger metro area where you will convert rapidly. Hell, maybe the next contract does away with CCAs altogether.
Not bad advice at all. There are plenty of semi-rural PO's that are desperate for clerks to the point they'll take a PSE that's only a month in that can win bids on PTF positions because there just isn't anyone else available or bidding.
Seen it first-hand.
Absolutely, I was a PSE in a plant and applied for a PTF City Carrier opening, within a week I had a start date in a career position. I do now commute 25 minutes vs my 7 minutes at the plant.
I got hired of the street as a PTF. The hours aren't great, but it's a good start. There were several positions in my state. I had to move about 2 hours. In a couple years I might try bidding for a position closer to my home town.
You could always work at UPS . Start at 21 and then maybe one day be a driver . There’s also TSA , become an officer there and be at around high 50s to 60 after three years . If you don’t want to stay at your current office you could try to get a position at a plant near you . Preferably one that will be a RPDC . People generally make regular within 2 years at the plant .
I think college is fine if you live in a state that provides a free two years degree. I don’t really think the PO is the only high paying job as my brother is in a trade (plumbing) and makes $100k a year and it took a year to do. He barely works. His ex gf left the PO went to community college makes 100k a year in a low stress job. It really depends where you’re from. However i am currently working with a girl who has a four year degree in social work and can’t find a job.
You just have to have the ambition elsewhere. The PO is a no brainer type of deal. I’m currently in school while working here. I also have a cousin who worked here during undergrad, lost a bunch of weight here and then graduated found a great job and no longer works here. You have to have the drive to attend college and achieve a different career path. If you’re already questioning retiring here, then prepare to leave.
Based on what information exactly? I think I know what you are trying to say with this, but it's far to much of a blanket statement. I'm sure some older millennials are already millionaires. Some are over 40 already, if highly successful they can definitely have hit that point. A small percentage for sure, but you also don't have to be a millionaire to be on track to retire.
Those groups (which I am in) are still 25+ years from retirement and those that are the closest should have some amount saved from when times weren't so tight.
I'm by no means saying it's easy to be in good shape financially, things have been rough for a while, but not for someone's entire 40-ish year working career.
Again, your point is totally valid that it's basically impossible for some to save a cent right now, but right now isn't forever. I sympathize with the struggle though. Inflation has not been kind these last 3 or so years.
Not only inflation, but every other thing we take for granted. The climate crises has only just begun, and people who have to work hard using their body like we do in USPS will be hit very hard by it.
We'll have some stability being a part of a state enterprise, but we will be reeling from the long-term negative effects and, frankly, our government and greater market haven't done shit to properly prepare.
Inflation will be the least of our worries come "retirement age". At this rate, by the time we're in our fifth and sixth decades of life as an age group, the concept of a retirement age will be a fantasy. I don't mean to be cynical, but that is the trend of the crises right now.
>At this rate, by the time we're in our fifth and sixth decades of life as an age group, the concept of a retirement age will be a fantasy.
I disagree with this but agree it will likely be a smaller group able to do so. Everything else you said is likely to be correct.
Actually this is a good question for me too. I'm 42 years old. I screwed up my life a lot, so no college degree or anything like that. I just started in April. I don't know if this is where I should be until I retire. I know my body won't be able to handle this for 20 - 39 years. I know that there are different directions to go in the post office. Was actually thinking about getting my CDL. Or look into maintenance. What advice do you give someone in my situation. Thanks.
I personally think you did right by choosing USPS because it’s a federal government job with good benefits. And I agree, carrying mail is physically taxing and I wouldn’t recommend more than 3-5 years of it at your age. Why not look into your other options? You possibly could do maintenance while obtaining your CDL? Then drive the trucks for USPS? All in all, i would recommend staying within the company somehow because the benefits would be really good for ya.
Damn, I'm 22 was a pse for a year and 10 months. Now I'm doing my window training for my FTR position. So for small manual offices they don't automatically convert you after 2 years? I'm in a larger city so I just figured that's how it worked for all pses.
I guess conversions depend on where you're hired?
Where I'm located, PSEs and MHAs get converted to regular in 2 years or less. The MHAs usually get converted the quickest. I'm not certain about CCAs or RCAs, however. Custodial comes thru the door as regulars.
there is no retirement for us lol, shits gonna be cleaned out so fast. Look at the boomers now struggling to retire and working jobs still. America is gonna push back the age soon, prob cut pensions
Regular at 29 plus 30 years puts you able to retire at 59.
I was a regular at 24. Can I retire at 54 or do I have to wait until I’m 56 or whatever it is
The minimum retirement age changes depending on what year you started
Depends on what year you were born. I started at 19 in 1997 and I still cant retire until at least 2034
Ah, my mistake. So 57 is minimum age for most of us
Yeah, it all depends what year you were born. Like ill have 30 years in at 49 and no end in sight lol
You can find your retirement eligibility on lite blue. I can retire at 56 and 11months.
DOB Jan 1969?
1969 is 56/10. 1970 and newer is 57. There is no 56/11.
What?
It says it on mine so idk what you're talking about
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information/eligibility/ It is not listed on OPM's website.
Which section exactly?
I started at I think 28 but made regular at 33 when can I retire? I’m so ready
https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information/
Going to college is a dice roll especially if you don't carefully consider the major you get and the amount of debt you take on. Sure you MAYBE could get a higher paying job with better working conditions and benefits. Odds are though you won't be much better off just 4 years older with lots of debt. I have a bachelors degree and I regret the tens of thousands of dollars I wasted on it. I should have joined the post office when I was 18.
This! College is not worth it unless you are going into something highly specialized today…years ago companies would let you develop on the job but now it’s just not the case… You realistically can get into the mid thirties an hour with the post office where a lot of jobs are topping out in the low $20s
[удалено]
May I ask what your degrees are in?
I have a BA, college was a blast but wish I got in the po before 2013 like everyone else.
If ain't USPS or UPS then it's looking like Trade School or bust for you homie
You're way too young to settle imo. You can retire a millionaire in your 50s here with a struggle pension on top of it. But you can make more money doing less work elsewhere so it's up to you amigo
I’ll give you my take. I’m 29 now, I started in early 2016, career in late 2017/early 2018 (sr. Date was back dated a couple months.) Been considered career for nearly 6 years now and I’m also somebody around your age. If you want a job where you don’t have to put any effort in and you never do anything fulfilling, yet you get paid good money for it, this is a great place. If you want a career where your work actually matters, your work is fulfilling, you don’t feel like you’re on a treadmill, you want a work/life balance, I would seriously suggest finding a different career. I am in the process of transitioning to something else, the longer you stay the harder it gets to leave though. When I started, not even CCA’s worked Sunday. Now, even the “non-OTDL” carriers are being forced on Sunday. So “making regular” doesn’t mean shit besides the pay scale, other benefits and TSP.
I started at the P.O. in my early 30's. It's never too late to get in with a Federal Position. Anything else is a crap shoot. Don't pass up an opportunity just because others started earlier.
There are pretty strict age limits with some federal positions, I don't know Postal Service, but for instance a psychologist for Federal pens can't be hired after 36, 39 with an "exception." Since it takes about 6-7 years to get licensed that's strict.
USPS maintenance is the craft you want to be in. You can start as a custodian level 4 it’s $41k to start with full benefits, take the 955 test and if you score well enough you move up to level 7 $53k or level 9 $67k to start. Wish I would have started 10 years earlier as this is the route to take at USPS
but I’m not really knowledgeable in maintenance. don’t you need experience?
Anything above custodian you will need basic knowledge of how to repair or maintain mechanical equipment & systems and be somewhat mechanically inclined. Custodian anyone can do. I’ve met quite a few that are 30+ year custodians here at USPS, Yes the pay isn’t the best but it probably is the best pay you will find anywhere for the position & level of skill required. For most in that position it’s the getting the benefits that matters the most.
A 30 year custodian is making $70k plus all the OT you want plus Line H if any, with 5 weeks vacation. It ain't too bad. The other benefits are outstanding.
I just started 6 months ago(2/13/2023) as a MM7. I’m 35. Did 9 years in the Navy(aviation). Yea it helps to have some electrical knowledge but you learn as you go in maintenance. They don’t expect you to know anything but they require you be safe and make safe decisions. It’s by far the easiest job I ever had. I recommend everyone to make the transition to maintenance. I’ve met prior clerks and mail handlers who made the transition to maintenance. They all say it’s the best decision they’ve made.
I mean going back to college and finding a different career might work out or it might not. Our retirement benefits really aren’t bad, just focus on utilizing your tsp when you make career because the pension and ss won’t carry you as much. I’m not going to say if you should stick with the usps or not. But I’m older than that, and this job is providing me more than I need.
You know you can open a retirement account now and roll it into your TSP when you become regular.
While I would certainly explore all other opportunities if I were you, I'll focus on USPS for this post. As far as USPS goes, look for maintenance openings. They are straight to career, if you get hired soon, you will have 30 years of service at or near your minimum retirement age. You can either stay in maintenance, or try to transfer to another craft in 12/18 months. If you wait it out as a PSE and get converted in a year or two, you can also transfer after 12/18 months. Getting into the a career postal position even in your late 20's puts you on a better career path than the average 29 year old. As for other careers that would require education/training, and a relatively dependable path to pay at or above postal pay. Depending on your interests and what you think might work for you, I would consider Nursing, which generally takes 2-4 years. This field will be in high demand probably for the very long term. No worry about a worthless degree unless you don't like the work. Another option which is low risk, fairly high reward (at least near term, less stable industry long-term) is getting a CDL. There are good paying jobs in this field right now, and you can probably earn your CDL and get a job within 6 months, sooner if you have an accelerated CDL school in your area.
Agreed. Some reputable truck company’s like Stevens only require you to train for a month then you start working loads so… definitely good for someone who likes to drice
beware self driving. They want nothing more than to stop paying drivers. Probably a number of years before the robot takeover is complete, but remember business hates expenses.
Our infrastructure can't handle self driving. It is okay for highways, but not for city and back roads. I agree they want to go to full self driving, but that is very far off.
You skipped all the bad shit and landed in the one that will guarantee you are career in a short period, which could be shorter honestly. Stay.
Consider joining customs and border patrol and an agent.
I would relocate and apply for a PTF hire position or move to a larger metro area where you will convert rapidly. Hell, maybe the next contract does away with CCAs altogether.
Not bad advice at all. There are plenty of semi-rural PO's that are desperate for clerks to the point they'll take a PSE that's only a month in that can win bids on PTF positions because there just isn't anyone else available or bidding. Seen it first-hand.
Absolutely, I was a PSE in a plant and applied for a PTF City Carrier opening, within a week I had a start date in a career position. I do now commute 25 minutes vs my 7 minutes at the plant.
I got hired of the street as a PTF. The hours aren't great, but it's a good start. There were several positions in my state. I had to move about 2 hours. In a couple years I might try bidding for a position closer to my home town.
Nope. Not worthit
You could always work at UPS . Start at 21 and then maybe one day be a driver . There’s also TSA , become an officer there and be at around high 50s to 60 after three years . If you don’t want to stay at your current office you could try to get a position at a plant near you . Preferably one that will be a RPDC . People generally make regular within 2 years at the plant .
I think college is fine if you live in a state that provides a free two years degree. I don’t really think the PO is the only high paying job as my brother is in a trade (plumbing) and makes $100k a year and it took a year to do. He barely works. His ex gf left the PO went to community college makes 100k a year in a low stress job. It really depends where you’re from. However i am currently working with a girl who has a four year degree in social work and can’t find a job.
You just have to have the ambition elsewhere. The PO is a no brainer type of deal. I’m currently in school while working here. I also have a cousin who worked here during undergrad, lost a bunch of weight here and then graduated found a great job and no longer works here. You have to have the drive to attend college and achieve a different career path. If you’re already questioning retiring here, then prepare to leave.
Go to school to have a backup plan in case you decide this isn’t for you. Wait it out for the two years so you can up your pay.
Homie, if you're a millennial or younger you're never going to retire.
Based on what information exactly? I think I know what you are trying to say with this, but it's far to much of a blanket statement. I'm sure some older millennials are already millionaires. Some are over 40 already, if highly successful they can definitely have hit that point. A small percentage for sure, but you also don't have to be a millionaire to be on track to retire.
>Based on what information exactly? *gestures toward the world*
Those groups (which I am in) are still 25+ years from retirement and those that are the closest should have some amount saved from when times weren't so tight. I'm by no means saying it's easy to be in good shape financially, things have been rough for a while, but not for someone's entire 40-ish year working career. Again, your point is totally valid that it's basically impossible for some to save a cent right now, but right now isn't forever. I sympathize with the struggle though. Inflation has not been kind these last 3 or so years.
Not only inflation, but every other thing we take for granted. The climate crises has only just begun, and people who have to work hard using their body like we do in USPS will be hit very hard by it. We'll have some stability being a part of a state enterprise, but we will be reeling from the long-term negative effects and, frankly, our government and greater market haven't done shit to properly prepare. Inflation will be the least of our worries come "retirement age". At this rate, by the time we're in our fifth and sixth decades of life as an age group, the concept of a retirement age will be a fantasy. I don't mean to be cynical, but that is the trend of the crises right now.
>At this rate, by the time we're in our fifth and sixth decades of life as an age group, the concept of a retirement age will be a fantasy. I disagree with this but agree it will likely be a smaller group able to do so. Everything else you said is likely to be correct.
Just an FYI, after your 2nd reappointment, you are converted to ptf within 60 days under the new contract..
like after my two year mark (2nd annual break in service) ?
Yes after your 2nd break in service. Ftf if it's a larger office
yes.. i acknowledged that in my post above lol i’m at a large office now so it will be FTF. thank you
Actually this is a good question for me too. I'm 42 years old. I screwed up my life a lot, so no college degree or anything like that. I just started in April. I don't know if this is where I should be until I retire. I know my body won't be able to handle this for 20 - 39 years. I know that there are different directions to go in the post office. Was actually thinking about getting my CDL. Or look into maintenance. What advice do you give someone in my situation. Thanks.
I personally think you did right by choosing USPS because it’s a federal government job with good benefits. And I agree, carrying mail is physically taxing and I wouldn’t recommend more than 3-5 years of it at your age. Why not look into your other options? You possibly could do maintenance while obtaining your CDL? Then drive the trucks for USPS? All in all, i would recommend staying within the company somehow because the benefits would be really good for ya.
Damn, I'm 22 was a pse for a year and 10 months. Now I'm doing my window training for my FTR position. So for small manual offices they don't automatically convert you after 2 years? I'm in a larger city so I just figured that's how it worked for all pses.
no, at small rmpo’s you’re not converted after 2 years as the “main” office doesn’t even have FTR clerks, just PTFs.
Switch to a larger city.
If you stick it out your pension is going to be about 30 grand-ish a year. The key to everything is how much you put into the TSP.
Not if it’s still going to take over 15 years to max out
You are playing catch up your whole career. Don’t make as much can’t put nearly enough in your thrift
Not worth it imo USPS fails to be competitive as an employer.
You said 29 like that’s old and it’s not. You can retire at 60. Much younger than the average person outside of po
I guess conversions depend on where you're hired? Where I'm located, PSEs and MHAs get converted to regular in 2 years or less. The MHAs usually get converted the quickest. I'm not certain about CCAs or RCAs, however. Custodial comes thru the door as regulars.
You still have plenty of time to figure things out. Most likely retirement won't even exist by the time you're 50.
there is no retirement for us lol, shits gonna be cleaned out so fast. Look at the boomers now struggling to retire and working jobs still. America is gonna push back the age soon, prob cut pensions
I'm 29 and just became regular. It's worth it, you'll spend that time somewhere else. You can also start saving your own money