To do or not to do?

[She mails rural]

Everyone, I need your upmost professional business decision advice. I've been on my current rt since 2011, it's now a 40k 82 miles pov 604 boxes no key. I have a opportunity to bid on a 46k 35 miles gov vehicle over 900 boxes. My plans are to retire in 3.5 years from either rt. I do know it's a very heavy rt to move to and I'm far from a spring chicken these days but it's a better high 3 and the pay is better, plus the thought of a gov vehicle is beautiful. It being so close to retirement is where I struggle thinking why do I want to kill myself here at the end but would help me as well in other areas? Any input would really be helpful in this 360 life decision. Thanks

 

[LouSainus]

Everyone, I need your upmost professional business decision advice. I've been on my current rt since 2011, it's now a 40k 82 miles pov 604 boxes no key. I have a opportunity to bid on a 46k 35 miles gov vehicle over 900 boxes. My plans are to retire in 3.5 years from either rt. I do know it's a very heavy rt to move to and I'm far from a spring chicken these days but it's a better high 3 and the pay is better, plus the thought of a gov vehicle is beautiful. It being so close to retirement is where I struggle thinking why do I want to kill myself here at the end but would help me as well in other areas? Any input would really be helpful in this 360 life decision. Thanks

id take a 900 box CBU/NBU route over a 600 box all mounted route anyday

 

[Gotrope]

How is the relief staffing in the office? What are your expected pov costs for next 3 years? What would be your impact paying for a new engine or transmission? Would you prefer a day off to use sick leave for aches and pains or a vacation day to fix a busted vehicle?

How honest is that 46k rrecs evaluation? Are you struggling physically with current route? Will additional lifting, stairs hurt you? Will you still have a home life on new route?

 

[FirstclassPITA]

Depends on your tolerance. Government vehicle makes it worthwhile. Not having to maintain a pov for their abuse has made the job acceptable. If you don't do the switch what do you lose? Only you know if it is "worth it" or not. If you can drink enough to bare the burden it is probably worth it. Do you have any sick leave you could use to whittle down your sentence just in case things get really unbearable?

I am currently a 46k with 42 miles and 880ish boxes. 60% ndcbu and 40% curbside. I really like the mix it helps break the day up. I would say do it just for the gov vehicle. Can your pov take another 60k route miles? Gas prices keep rising and ema never keeps up. Potential oil shortages to be had will make oil changes extra burdensome. It is going to be a nightmare to maintain a pov for the next year or two. It is so nice to be so detached from issues involving delivery vehicles. It removes that burden from you and rightfully places it back upon the postal service. You got this. Remember no matter what call you make it is the right call. Don't beat yourself up either way but i personally hate hate hated maintaining a vehicle and would take the new route on that alone.

 

[Unclewolverine]

This a preference thing that not many are going to be able to help you with. I love pov and long country routes. A short government vehicle route sounds like an absolute nightmare to me. I would never put my life in the hands of a government maintained vehicle.

 

[justacarrier]

No-one else has gone here so I will bring this up. The difference in pay and specifically your high 3 is substantial! It will make a huge difference in your annuity which is for the rest of your life. Now, changing routes is always a big deal but getting older and having been on a route for that long can be hard. I do suspect you know something about the route and could get some good insight from the regular carrier which could help you make a good decision. You are the best person to know just what you are capable of transitioning into, and trust your gut!

 

[She mails rural]

Y'all have been so helpful and gave me a lot to think about, thank you. I have been asking different carriers even the regular about the rt and its a 50/50 split. Half say its to much to hard other half says its alot but not bad at all. They all say box holder days are horrible lol but truly them days on any rt is horrible lol. For me obviously it's gonna be harder but I believe the good out weights the bad expecally when it's time to retire going off high 3! Again I thank everyone and most of all pray for me, I need all I can get.

 

[Atimm693]

Like you mentioned, boxholders and heavy volume days are worse on the shorter routes with more boxes, the light days are lighter, but the heavy days are much heavier. However, the drive time alone on those longer routes can be a daily grind, even with low volume.

Any business dismounts? Frequent package pickups? Ratio of CBU to curbside? CBU routes suck in inclement weather.

You should be able to ride with a carrier on that route before you make the decision. I've driven regulars around before when a route was up for bid so they could see it first-hand.

 

[btdtret]

She mails rural -- to change routes for more $ and a government vehicle - and probably a better High 3 for retirement?

-- LLV or Metris?

-- Is your body ready for the increased work load casing and loading mail and hauling parcels to the door?

-- Really want to learn 900 new addresses and names ( past and present )?

-- Has the current carrier kept the route and the Edit Book up to date?

-- Does the new route have sub? If so, is the sub capable - or a speedster?

-- How has the route fared during RRESS and the MMS's?

-- Is the route currently "frozen?

-- To add to "Atimm963's" posting -- If you get to ride with the current carrier, ask about "problem" customers.

-- Good luck.

 

[Voglio-il mio]

Everyone, I need your upmost professional business decision advice. I've been on my current rt since 2011, it's now a 40k 82 miles pov 604 boxes no key. I have a opportunity to bid on a 46k 35 miles gov vehicle over 900 boxes. My plans are to retire in 3.5 years from either rt. I do know it's a very heavy rt to move to and I'm far from a spring chicken these days but it's a better high 3 and the pay is better, plus the thought of a gov vehicle is beautiful. It being so close to retirement is where I struggle thinking why do I want to kill myself here at the end but would help me as well in other areas? Any input would really be helpful in this 360 life decision. Thanks

Have you run the numbers for what the difference in pension would be?

Table #1, 30 Years At Step 12 would be a $5211.30 more Per year difference or $434.28 per month!

I retired in good health but that would be another consideration "will your body handle the change"?

 

[Shannonboy]

God knows....and if you truely know Him, and Serve him, He will show you the way. Will be praying my friend.
Shannonboy
P.s. The last 3 years are what they gage your social security on, so if physically able, and in relatively good health, I'd give it a shot. Outside of that, I probably would stay on my pov rt.....I'm a country boy, city life/routes are not for me...

 

[Voglio-il mio]

God knows....and if you truely know Him, and Serve him, He will show you the way. Will be praying my friend.
Shannonboy
P.s. The last 3 years are what they gage your social security on, so if physically able, and in relatively good health, I'd give it a shot. Outside of that, I probably would stay on my pov rt.....I'm a country boy, city life/routes are not for me...

I don't know if you miss spoke on how Social Security is calculated because you were thinking about maybe High 3 at the USPS. But just to clarify Social Security is calculated using your highest 35 qualifying years income. Those years will also be adjusted for inflation. If you don't have 35 qualifying years, each year you are short will be considered as zero in that calculation.

How Social Security Benefits are Calculated | Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group, LLC

When you are planning for retirement, it's crucial to understand Social Security as a component in your income streams. Knowing what your Social Security income will be can prepare you for your financial future and strategize how to bridge the gap between that income and your anticipated...

www.financialfreedomwmg.com

 

[Shannonboy]

I don't know if you miss spoke on how Social Security is calculated because you were thinking about maybe High 3 at the USPS. But just to clarify Social Security is calculated using your highest 35 qualifying years income. Those years will also be adjusted for inflation. If you don't have 35 qualifying years, each year you are short will be considered as zero in that calculation.

How Social Security Benefits are Calculated | Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group, LLC

When you are planning for retirement, it's crucial to understand Social Security as a component in your income streams. Knowing what your Social Security income will be can prepare you for your financial future and strategize how to bridge the gap between that income and your anticipated...

www.financialfreedomwmg.com

My mistake I guess....my Dad always said the last 3 years were the ones you wanted to make the most you can, because that gave you the largest amount possible...

 

[Gotrope]

God knows....and if you truely know Him, and Serve him, He will show you the way. Will be praying my friend.
Shannonboy
P.s. The last 3 years are what they gage your social security on, so if physically able, and in relatively good health, I'd give it a shot. Outside of that, I probably would stay on my pov rt.....I'm a country boy, city life/routes are not for me...

Social security is based upon your highest 35 years of income history out of 40, adjusted for inflation. The USPS pension is based off highest 36 months income.
Just to clarify.