Should I stay in the HSE?

[SarahMary]

I'm 51 years old and recently started as a CO in the HSE. I took a pay cut because my last job hadn't any opportunities, pension etc. I'm not happy as a CO. I'm expected to be on call and shipped out to other facilities to cover positions above my grade having zero experience and have no choice but to do basically do whatever I'm told. COs are basically the bottom of the barrel and have no say in anything. I'm finding it so hard as I guess I have years administration experience and foolishly thought this would earn me some respect and not be treated like a child on work experience .

My question is, with less than 15 years to retirement age is it worth my while staying in this position? I know there are annual increments and opportunities to move up but that doesn't mean you will move up. I would rather be in a job I'm appreciated in a happy workplace. Everyone I work with admit they hate working for the HSE and are only holding out for the pension. So, is it worth my while financially speaking hanging on in the hope of moving up the ladder and/or moving to a less toxic workplace?

Thanks.

 

[Leper]

Well SarahMary I’m another who worked as a Clerical Officer in the HSE having taken an exit package from a semi state company. I dropped grade to be with the HSE and never regretted the move. If you are not happy in your current post you can apply to move to another location. I had some excellent colleagues in the HSE and I loved nearly every day there. I hope things change for you for the better.

 

[the13thwarrior]

I think if you only started as a CO, you should give it time, your expectations are quite high. You are in an entry level position; my belief is you need to wait it out and seek additional options for moving up. Perhaps your age is causing a problem, if your supervisors are younger than you (and may indeed have less experience) but it is what it is. the HSE has many different offices and areas. it sounds like the one you are in at the moment may not be a good match for you

 

[TheJackal]

I'd say it won't be worth staying for a pension anyway. Someone can check my figures below and ignores future pay rises/State Pension rises.

After 15 years you would be on point 14, the NMAX rate of €805.17/week or €42,014 gross per year.

You are on the new system of career average pay for your pension.

Year

1​

2​

3​

4​

5​

6​

7​

8​

9​

10​

11​

12​

12​

14​

15​

Average

Week

€519.96​

€552.66​

€560.96​

€577.18​

€601.09​

€624.97​

€648.84​

€666.22​

€685.91​

€708.79​

€724.90​

€747.54​

€770.05​

€805.17​

€805.17​

€666.63​

Annual

€27,131.51​

€28,837.80​

€29,270.89​

€30,117.25​

€31,364.88​

€32,610.93​

€33,856.47​

€34,763.36​

€35,790.78​

€36,984.66​

€37,825.28​

€39,006.64​

€40,181.21​

€42,013.77​

€42,013.77​

€34,784.61​

15 of 40 years service at annual average salary of €34,784.61 comes to €13,044.23 annual CO pension + once off tax free lump sum of €39,132.69.

State Pension is €265.30 per week or €13,843.45 annual.

So 15 years on the CO salary will end up being less than the State Pension Constributory (SPC) rate, so you'll just get the SPC.
You'll be paying into your pension and Pension Levy (now called ASC) for 15 years and see zero return for it other than the lump sum. You'll have paid c.20K into your pension at that stage to get that 39K.

 

[Early Riser]

So 15 years on the CO salary will end up being less than the State Pension Constributory (SPC) rate, so you'll just get the SPC.

That is incorrect. The calculation does not work that way.

It doesn't work this way either but it will give a better rough estimate.
Lets take it that your career average figure of €34,784 is correct. As this is below the CSP threshold the calculation is 34,784 * 0.58% * 15 = €3,026 pa (for 15 years service). It is not a lot but it is separate from, and additional to, whatever she will get from the State Pension (which will be calculated by the DSP based on her total PRSI record and not just her time in the PS).
She may get promotion along the way which would impact the outcome.

 

[TheJackal]

Ah yes I see my mistake

 

[Early Riser]

once off tax free lump sum of €39,132.69

That is also incorrect. For 15 years service on a career average salary of €34,784 it would be 34784 * 15 * 3.75% = €19,566.

 

[TheJackal]

Yes I forgot to do half final salary.

My point was more the pension you get at CO grade with 15 years isn't great

 

[AlbacoreA]

I always thought, joining the CS/PS later in life the pension vs the private sector there isn't a lot of difference from pension POV. You'd mainly be doing it for a work life balance point of view.

There's a huge variety across the CS/PS, how you're treated is down to the people your working with, especially the managers, they set the tone. In that way its no different from the Private sector. You could always try to move to another section see if the work suits you on a different team better.