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Post by futuressaalj on Jan 18, 2014 14:15:53 GMT -5
:)Sealaw90, Original Poster.
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Post by sealaw90 on Jan 19, 2014 20:54:01 GMT -5
thanks future, even though I am supposedly a forum legend, I don't know all the acronyms!!
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Post by privateatty on Jan 19, 2014 21:23:07 GMT -5
Fun is a relative, subjective term. This process of applying and becoming a federal ALJ is maddening to all but the mad---or extremely well-positioned, on a number of different levels. Even most lawyers and certainly a majority of those who practice before us have nary a clue as to what we have all been through to get this job. Not to go all Blanche DuBois on you, but you know what I mean. Even deltajudge has expressed his sympathy. I suppose if you were on the short list of 5 in a major city and up for a US District Court position and had to win the rubber chicken and back-slapping marathon for a year you may not have much sympathy. But then they are different skill sets.  |
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Post by bartleby on Jan 19, 2014 21:39:11 GMT -5
During a hearing a Judge asked the claimant why he couldn't work. His answer was, "I didn't say I couldn't work, I said I couldn't find work." At the end of the hearing she asked him if he had anything he would like to add and he said, "What does it take to do what you are doing?"... You can't make this stuff up.
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Post by sandiferhands (old) on Jan 20, 2014 13:59:43 GMT -5
He may almost qualify under the new PD.  |
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Post by lifelongdc on Jan 20, 2014 20:46:01 GMT -5
Whether it's fun or not depends , I think, on a lot of things that vary from person to person. I am approaching 60 years old, have been a non-Fed ALJ for 15 years, and a trial attorney for 18 before that. I wanted to shoot for a federal ALJ position a few years ago, but was blocked by the litigation from entering the fray. I missed the short lived window last time because I just didn't know it had slipped open for a fleeting second. So this is my one and only chance at getting the position. I'll be too old to even consider trying next time if I don't get selected this time. On the other hand, I have a great job now in a great city (one that would be very high on most people's GAL) and as a litigator by nature, SSA work might not be the best for me anyway. But something new, making a couple bucks more, and helping a different group of people-disabled folks who need a help getting by, which not only means awards for the qualifying but denials for the others to preserve the program from attacks by people who don't believe in it anyway-make me very much hope to get a shot.
Loved litigating, by the way. Always tell people who ask that standing and waiting with your client when the verdict is handed to the judge, and waiting for it to be read, is one of life's only authentic "reveals". To get a favorable result is as big a rush as there is, while an unfavorable verdict, while deflating, doesn't hurt so much if you were prepared, had your ducks in a row, and did your best.
Lastly, I have mostly just lurked on this board, but I am getting pretty close to thinking the game is about to wind up Thanks to everyone who works so hard to keep the uninitiated (me) informed on technical matters and terms of art, as well as shedding much appreciated light on the issues and challenges that 90% plus of the federal ALJ corps face. I learned much on this board that will help me decide what to do if I am offered a position. Thanks.
Short answer to the thread title: You are apparently not the only one, but I ain't with you.
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Post by sealaw90 on Feb 14, 2014 9:24:07 GMT -5
I feel bad for everyone one who got an NOR, but I had to start a thread that has some positive/happy comments! I personally think this process is so FUN...yes it is stressful, but its such a RUSH!!!...the anticipation, the waiting...I ABSOLUTELY LOVED taking the SJT...I wish I could do it again!!! When I joined this forum I swore I wasn't going to actually post anything...I was just observing...but I couldn't help myself! I am so EXCITED and having so much fun...I need to share my excitement with similar situated people who are just as weird as me! Seriously...I can't be the only one who LOVES this... Signed, -Obsessing "futureALJ"  If this was a poll, I think I'd be changing my answer to "NO". I am actually sick of waiting and it is no longer fun. It will not become fun again until the NORs come out, then the wild speculations, the healthy stress, the rush of questions, issues and debates will recommence...maybe I am tired of all the snowstorms  and I am misplacing my frustrations!! |
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Post by deltajudge on Feb 14, 2014 10:55:19 GMT -5
8-)That is one of the better parts of the job, meeting wo many diverse people and personalities. I was holding hearings in a remote site which was on the same floor as the SSA District Office. The District Manager came in laughing and told me my 11:00 hearing could not make it because he couldn't get off work. My dismissal stuck.
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Post by redryder on Feb 14, 2014 14:34:04 GMT -5
LIFELONGDC made a comment in the post that raised an issue that some applicants need to think about when deciding their future as a federal ALJ. That is the government pension offset. If you are currently working for a state or local entity that has its own retirement plan and you qualify for a retirement under that plan, working for the feds may not be as financially rewarding as you hope. It won't affect your salary while you are working but could result in a big surprise when you retire. If you know someone who can calculate the impact, you may want to consult him while waiting for your score.
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Post by 71stretch on Feb 14, 2014 14:36:36 GMT -5
LIFELONGDC made a comment in the post that raised an issue that some applicants need to think about when deciding their future as a federal ALJ. That is the government pension offset. If you are currently working for a state or local entity that has its own retirement plan and you qualify for a retirement under that plan, working for the feds may not be as financially rewarding as you hope. It won't affect your salary while you are working but could result in a big surprise when you retire. If you know someone who can calculate the impact, you may want to consult him while waiting for your score. I know you are not claiming to be the one who can calculate the impact, but care to elaborate generally on what the "big surprise" is? |
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Post by deltajudge on Feb 14, 2014 15:08:08 GMT -5
8-)It's called the "windfall provision" instituted by Richard Nixon. In my case, although I had more than the 40 quarters of coverage to qualify for retirement benefits gained under private employment, my SSA benefits were reduced when I retired from Civil Service. Funny thing, when I turned 65 and still working, drew my full SSA retirement until I retired and the windfall offset came into play.
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Post by papresqr on Feb 14, 2014 16:29:24 GMT -5
But as I understand it, that only applies to pensions from employers who did not deduct for social security taxes. For those of you under the CSRS, I believe that would apply. It should not apply to those who have pensions under FERS or any other pension for which social security taxes were deducted from your pay. However, that is only my understanding based on a quick read some time ago, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
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Post by ssaogc on Feb 14, 2014 17:24:26 GMT -5
I feel bad for everyone one who got an NOR, but I had to start a thread that has some positive/happy comments! I personally think this process is so FUN...yes it is stressful, but its such a RUSH!!!...the anticipation, the waiting...I ABSOLUTELY LOVED taking the SJT...I wish I could do it again!!! When I joined this forum I swore I wasn't going to actually post anything...I was just observing...but I couldn't help myself! I am so EXCITED and having so much fun...I need to share my excitement with similar situated people who are just as weird as me! Seriously...I can't be the only one who LOVES this... Signed, -Obsessing "futureALJ" Did the OP get cut at Phase II? If so, that is where the fun must have ended for her. |
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Post by deltajudge on Feb 14, 2014 17:47:49 GMT -5
8-)It targeted "double dippers."
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2014 19:35:33 GMT -5
8-)It's called the "windfall provision" instituted by Richard Nixon. In my case, although I had more than the 40 quarters of coverage to qualify for retirement benefits gained under private employment, my SSA benefits were reduced when I retired from Civil Service. Funny thing, when I turned 65 and still working, drew my full SSA retirement until I retired and the windfall offset came into play. Thanks for heads-up about the windfall provision, red and delta. It was news to me, so I found this SSA document online: www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf (Turns out it won't affect me, if I'm fortunate enough to cross the finish line of this ultramarathon.) |
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Post by 71stretch on Feb 14, 2014 22:02:45 GMT -5
8-)It's called the "windfall provision" instituted by Richard Nixon. In my case, although I had more than the 40 quarters of coverage to qualify for retirement benefits gained under private employment, my SSA benefits were reduced when I retired from Civil Service. Funny thing, when I turned 65 and still working, drew my full SSA retirement until I retired and the windfall offset came into play. Thanks for heads-up about the windfall provision, red and delta. It was news to me, so I found this SSA document online: www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf (Turns out it won't affect me, if I'm fortunate enough to cross the finish line of this ultramarathon.) If I click on your link, it comes up "file not found" |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2014 22:16:23 GMT -5
Thanks for heads-up about the windfall provision, red and delta. It was news to me, so I found this SSA document online: www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf (Turns out it won't affect me, if I'm fortunate enough to cross the finish line of this ultramarathon.) If I click on your link, it comes up "file not found" Don't know what happened, observer53, but try this link (which is how I found the link to the pdf document I posted above): www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/wep.htm |
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Post by 71stretch on Feb 14, 2014 23:07:27 GMT -5
If I click on your link, it comes up "file not found" Don't know what happened, observer53, but try this link (which is how I found the link to the pdf document I posted above): www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/wep.htmThat link works. Now I need to figure out whether/how it affects me. |
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and I am misplacing my frustrations!!
