{"id":27229,"date":"2023-11-21T15:49:46","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T15:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/11\/21\/is-it-worth-delaying-retirement-to-maximize-high-3-at-next-gs-level\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T05:16:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:16:04","slug":"is-it-worth-delaying-retirement-to-maximize-high-3-at-next-gs-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/your-career\/2023\/11\/21\/is-it-worth-delaying-retirement-to-maximize-high-3-at-next-gs-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it worth delaying retirement to maximize high-3 at next GS level?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cI am a GS-14 and will have about 40 years plus of government service when I retire in a few years. My agency is soon to decide if my position will be opened up to a GS-15. Will I really need to work another 3 more years after I get my 15 just to get the high-3 upon retirement, and will it be worth it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reg\u2019s Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve know people who died while trying to maximize their high-3. So don\u2019t make your decision based on that alone. Just remember that it takes 78 biweekly pay periods to do get the full effect of a raise. While every pay period you stay on the rolls will nudge your annuity up, your final decision should be based on more than that. Putting the money aside, do you want to retire or are you happy doing what you are – or will be – doing? If yes, stick around. If no, retire. Happiness is more important than a little more money in your annuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\t