dabridgham
Registered User
Claremont, NH
They force their pilots to retire at 57 and want them in the retirement program for 20 years before that. Therefore 37 is the maximum age for a new hire. No really, that's their "reasoning".
Different agencies for me, but same system. So glad I’m retired now. Yes - got to play with all kinds of cool “toys,” but don’t miss the bureaucratic morass one bit!They force their pilots to retire at 57 and want them in the retirement program for 20 years before that. Therefore 37 is the maximum age for a new hire. No really, that's their "reasoning".
Different agencies for me, but same system. So glad I’m retired now. Yes - got to play with all kinds of cool “toys,” but don’t miss the bureaucratic morass one bit!
Do these positions require a red card?
Thought maybe being in active fire zones they needed red cards and shelter/Nomex. I hated the step test.
Not a Red card per-say. Pilots in fire fighter job descriptions do need to be "Carded" for the missions they fly. https://www.nwcg.gov/committee/6mfs/aircraft-and-pilot-carding
That age limit kinda sucks. Sounds like it cuts out MANY qualified applicants. Airlines don’t seem to have a problem with hiring older pilots wonder why the government does. A 50 yr old pilot still has a sh#$ load of flying to be done, even as a new hire.
They force their pilots to retire at 57 and want them in the retirement program for 20 years before that. Therefore 37 is the maximum age for a new hire. No really, that's their "reasoning".
These jobs are included in the federal fire fighting retirement program, which dictates the mandatory retirement age. The firefighter (or similar law enforcement) federal retirement program offers a better retirement than the “standard” federal retirement. The reason for the max hiring age is such that the applicant can meet the minimum 20 years in service for retirement before they age out.
In my opinion, they’d have a lot better luck hiring pilots if these weren’t covered under that retirement program. But, obviously, the FS can get along fine without pilots there....based on recent years.
MTV
They force their pilots to retire at 57 and want them in the retirement program for 20 years before that. Therefore 37 is the maximum age for a new hire. No really, that's their "reasoning".
You would think that the pension plan would welcome late-comers--
that way, the payoff at age 57 retirement would be lower.
Better yet, mandatory retirement before vesting in the plan, so no pension payoff at all.
Question I would ask: Do these jobs really fit the firefighter series? Was done as extra incentive, but if it precludes hiring.....?
MTV
34% of your highest 3 year average. If you averaged 94 k it be around 3196.00 a month less federal, state tax. Health insurance, survivor benefits, ( thats if you want your spouse or other to get 25% or 50% after you die) and life insurance if want to keep it. Since its forced early retirement you get a supplemental to carry you over till social security and that would be 800-1200 a month on top of the pension. ….If you work more than 20 years your percentage increases up 1 % for each extra year.
Sounds pretty sweet.
Curious if there's a minimum retirement age?
Let's say a guy started flying this Beaver job at 25,My union pension's full retirement age is 62.
he could qualify with 20 years service & go out at 45.
I qualified for (and took) mine at age 55,
but got nicked 6% a year for going out early.
Originally it was 25 years of service & out with a full draw,
but they had too many guys going out at 45 or 50 --
the resulting 30-to-40 years of paying full benefits would've broke the bank.
So they came up with the early-out penalty,
based on actuarial tables (aka how long you gonna live).
How is it that this position is so difficult to fill?
Am I missing something about this?
Thanks, I just dont understand
I need to get up there and get a tour of the operation!
Just let me know when you are in town and I'll give you the full tour!