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So I am looking into nyc attorney jobs vs jobs in the same industry in the private sector. I have a few years experience (less than 5). Obviously, salaries are lower in nyc govt. What are the big perks in terms of benefits that make it more attractive? Soft perks? Thanks guys.

Anonymous User wrote:So I am looking into nyc attorney jobs vs jobs in the same industry in the private sector. I have a few years experience (less than 5). Obviously, salaries are lower in nyc govt. What are the big perks in terms of benefits that make it more attractive? Soft perks? Thanks guys.

Pension and time are the biggest perks of working for NYC govt. There's nothing special about the pension, just that there is one. By time, I mean your hours will be 9(ish) to hard stop at 5pm. Many of your non-lawyer colleagues (and even some of the lawyers, particularly the older ones) will be in at 10 and out the door at 4-430.

misterjames wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:So I am looking into nyc attorney jobs vs jobs in the same industry in the private sector. I have a few years experience (less than 5). Obviously, salaries are lower in nyc govt. What are the big perks in terms of benefits that make it more attractive? Soft perks? Thanks guys.

Pension and time are the biggest perks of working for NYC govt. There's nothing special about the pension, just that there is one. By time, I mean your hours will be 9(ish) to hard stop at 5pm. Many of your non-lawyer colleagues (and even some of the lawyers, particularly the older ones) will be in at 10 and out the door at 4-430.

Do you mean pension in addition to 401k matching? I’ve heard, don’t know any facts

Following up on this. Does anyone have any tips for interviewing with the panels?

they don't do 401k matching

Anonymous User wrote:they don't do 401k matching

Really? I thought the pension plans were the main benefit...what am I missing?

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:they don't do 401k matching

Really? I thought the pension plans were the main benefit...what am I missing?

(Not the previous anon) Yes, there's no matching. You can enroll into NYCERS if you want (NYC pension plan). Benefits: hours, flexibility, vacations, friendly people (mostly), job security.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:they don't do 401k matching

Really? I thought the pension plans were the main benefit...what am I missing?

(Not the previous anon) Yes, there's no matching. You can enroll into NYCERS if you want (NYC pension plan). Benefits: hours, flexibility, vacations, friendly people (mostly), job security.

OP here. Sorry for the digging questions, I honestly know very little about it. The salaries are quite low, but those lifestyle perks do seem worth it for some. And getting a job with an nyc agency is in fact competitive. I was wondering, though, is there a reason people stay for a quite long period (like over 5 or 7 years) and then move on to private sector that appreciates the experience they gained? I always thought that had to do with pension. I appreciate all your responses.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:they don't do 401k matching

Really? I thought the pension plans were the main benefit...what am I missing?

(Not the previous anon) Yes, there's no matching. You can enroll into NYCERS if you want (NYC pension plan). Benefits: hours, flexibility, vacations, friendly people (mostly), job security.

OP here. Sorry for the digging questions, I honestly know very little about it. The salaries are quite low, but those lifestyle perks do seem worth it for some. And getting a job with an nyc agency is in fact competitive. I was wondering, though, is there a reason people stay for a quite long period (like over 5 or 7 years) and then move on to private sector that appreciates the experience they gained? I always thought that had to do with pension. I appreciate all your responses.

Yes it's likely the pension, I believe NYC's pension vesting period is 5 years for Tier 6 employees, which I believe almost all new NYC employees are Tier 6 these days.

Tier 6 vesting is actually 10 years. If you leave before 10 years, you get your money back (plus a set interest). You have to work until 63 I believe, whereas Tier 4 was only 57 (and 5 years vesting)

Personally, I think a pension is a rarity these days - does the fed gov give a pension still, or is it some variation of one? Tier 4 was much better, but Tier 6 is still very good. It's always smart to also have a separate 401k or IRA, but there's a safety to not worrying about whether the stock market will crash right before you retire.

Jobs in NYC government are as situation dependent as anything else. If you're not looking at the Law Dept, then being in counsel's office at an agency will depend completely on the type of agency and the GC at that agency. I have personally loved it compared to firm life (no billing, very much 9-5 or 9-6 hours, good vacation time you actually get to use). If you work for a jerk, your life will still suck, but I find lawyers in particular in local government here are smart people who get to work on interesting things. But really depends on your agency.