Misc. Factors

[youngster]

New member here. I am sure many of us have questions about personal factors (ones that are not universal to all on the cert) and how those factors will play out in how SSA considers us as potential ALJ's. You know, things like one's particular past legal experience, etc.

One question that I have is how age will be considered. Sure, we all know that it is an illegal consideration, but does it get considered anyway?

Take me, for instance. I am about 40 which seems pretty young when the average age of an ALJ is 65 (and avg. retirement age is 69--see the coming demographic?). Will the agency be less willing to take a chance on me since, if hired, I would likely be around a long time?

And has it ever been determined or disclosed how relocation costs will play out for those that are already SSA employees? I had once wondered if those potential costs might work against us, but the Commish took care of that in his Nov. 5 comments. Do we even know if there will be any relo package for SSA employees? That has a lot to do with whether some cities get chosen by me or not.

Thanks.

[oldtimer]

I've got no inside information, just my own opinions, from almost 30 years with ODAR. I'm not sure that ODAR even knows your age or legal experience; since the ODAR interviews in Falls CHurrch were so generic, it's entirely possible that they only receive your name, score, and locations from OPM. I've never seen anything which would lead me to think that they took into consideration your age or need for relocation expenses. The only thing I've ever thought ODAR considered was previous ODAR experience, i.e., if you're a well-regarded ODAR attorney, they'll do whatever they can, e.g., hiring a second ALJ in a previously-identified location, in order to reach you.

[hooligan]

Selectors are human and it is naive to assume they will ignore age. However, based upon the make up of previous classes, they seem to succeed in ignoring the implications. The focus is likely to be on productivity and computer familiarity. There is a push to get judges to write some of their own decisions. The new file format is fully electronic. No one really knows how to factor in age other than that the perception is that older lawyers are apt to be less computer literate.

On the relocation front, the government pays for those currently in governmental service. I was advised that there is (was) an unwritten policy of "AWBH" (Anywhere But Home) for new hires. However, when I was hired, my class had many agency people who were miraculously assigned to their current locations. This causes me to be extremely skeptical that they actually do the selection process the way they tell us they do it. I ascribe to the manipulation theories expressed here and elsewhere.