​I retired early at age 33 – should I get a government job to bank another million and live the rest of my life on easy mode? 

Personal FinanceNicolasMcComber from Getty Images and Roel Bagon from Getty ImagesChris MacDonaldThis post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive
compensation for actions taken through them.Everyone’s individual situation is different, and some have certainly been luckier than others in terms of choosing their career path wisely. One Reddit user recently shared their reflections on their current situation, noting significant retirement savings and the ability to retire early (at age 33!). That’s impressive. However, this user did note that they’d like to save at least $500,000-$1 million to be much more stable and secure in retirement. Having another 30+ potential working years ahead, this individual is thinking about potentially shifting roles from something in the burnout-heavy tech sector to a more relaxed government job and taking a pension to fill his retirement gap. It would also give the poster something to do for the next three decades. That’s important.So, this person posted his question to the Reddit community to see what their thoughts would be on his potential move. I have to say, the comments were interesting, to say the least.Let’s dive in!Key Points About This Article:Working in the private vs. public sector is a discussion many individuals have, and it’s one that comes with some nuance.
One particular tech worker who’s looking to semi-retire early is exploring the public sector, so let’s take a look at this idea from a pension perspective.
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Government Pensions: Misconceptions vs. RealityCanva: alphaspirit.it and Andrii Dodonov from Getty Images401(k) vs. pension plan visualFor many who may be in the private sector or who haven’t been exposed to how public pensions work, they may seem like a financial dream from the outside looking in. However, as is the case with most things, there’s nuance to this view. Things are often more complex in reality than they are in concept.A number of Reddit users posted in the comments that today’s government pension programs rarely lead to long-term wealth or the ability to retire early. That is, without supplementary savings or investments. Shrinking benefits, minimal contributions (often single-digit contributions as a percentage of one’s salary) and limited cost of living adjustments can change the math on one’s retirement goals real quick.Additionally, it’s worth pointing out that many government jobs can come with trade-offs like lower wages, less autonomy, and tightening insurance packages. For many, this reality shatters the illusion of an “easy mode” lifestyle. Yet, even with these challenges, government pensions remain appealing to those prioritizing stability and predictability in retirement planning. The real question is whether these benefits align with your long-term goals