Robert R. McGill Administrative Law Blog on Lawyers.com

     I sincerely hope that the proposed VERs which will be issued in the next couple of weeks will be economically viable and rewarding for those who qualify.  I say this because the primary criteria proposed for qualification involves those who are at least 50 years of age with at least 20 years of service, or any age with at least 25 years of service.  Anyone who has dedicated his or her life for a minimum of 20 years deserves something comparable to "full retirement" benefits.  My suspicions are raised, however, only because the motivating factor behind the offer is to target employees in specific locations where reductions in force or restructuring will be taking place -- i.e., from the Post Office's perspective, those places where greater "efficiency" can be obtained, at the cost of a person's lifetime dedication and service to the Federal Government.  I realize that Adam Smith's economic truth will always be at play -- that self-interest leads to unintended consequences which, in a capitalist system, results in collateral benefits of employment, wide economic impact, etc.  But just make sure that, just as the Post Office is looking after its own interest first, that each Postal employee looks after his or her own interest, similarly -- first.  Look at the VER carefully.  Compare it to disability retirement benefits carefully -- not only in terms of "today's" dollar value, but also into the future.

Sincerely, Robert R. McGill, Esquire