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Post by Burt Macklin on Dec 22, 2021 19:23:54 GMT -5
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Post by hamster on Dec 23, 2021 4:44:53 GMT -5
I’ve already retired, but it is a shame that the ALJ pay scale has increased far, far less than inflation. There was already pay compression, making step increases relatively minimal compared to Article III judges. In my view, if you want to attract experienced, well-qualified individuals as ALJs, they should be better compensated. I do acknowledge that most SSA employees make less. Yet, even burger-flippers without a high school diploma are earning $15 an hour. And they can sneak fries, now and then.
Respectfully, Tony
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Post by nylawyer on Dec 23, 2021 9:19:49 GMT -5
I’ve already retired, but it is a shame that the ALJ pay scale has increased far, far less than inflation. There was already pay compression, making step increases relatively minimal compared to Article III judges. In my view, if you want to attract experienced, well-qualified individuals as ALJs, they should be better compensated. I do acknowledge that most SSA employees make less. Yet, even burger-flippers without a high school diploma are earning $15 an hour. And they can sneak fries, now and then. Respectfully, Tony It's not just about recent (hopefully somewhat transitory) inflation. I did a quick check, the top pay for ALJs in 2010 was 165,300. In 2022 it is 187,300. That is an increase of 13%. Meanwhile, there has been a cumulative price increase of 27.4% during that same time. So, if you were an ALJ maxed out in 2010 and still working in 2022 you have effectively received a 14.4% pay cut in that time. Happy Holidays. |
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Post by jagvet on Dec 23, 2021 14:36:40 GMT -5
The pay raises are based on the past year's change in cost of living, not the historical cost. That said, here are my 2 cents:
The amount of the raise is by itself appropriate under COLA standards, but as inflation has accelerated rapidly, it will not amount to much, and if inflation continues, 2023's raise will be enormous.
Given that there are large numbers of candidates for ALJ slots when they are hiring, I don't think the problem is attracting candidates; it is retention. Also, capping ALJs at Executive Schedule rates is just not fair or reasonable. I don't think that the salaries need to be based on those of Article III judges, but on those of other executive branch professionals.
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Post by nylawyer on Dec 23, 2021 15:15:49 GMT -5
The pay raises are based on the past year's change in cost of living, not the historical cost. That said, here are my 2 cents: The amount of the raise is by itself appropriate under COLA standards, but as inflation has accelerated rapidly, it will not amount to much, and if inflation continues, 2023's raise will be enormous. Given that there are large numbers of candidates for ALJ slots when they are hiring, I don't think the problem is attracting candidates; it is retention. Also, capping ALJs at Executive Schedule rates is just not fair or reasonable. I don't think that the salaries need to be based on those of Article III judges, but on those of other executive branch professionals. Two things- Clearly raises are not tied to an increase in COLA, so I'm not banking on an enormous raise next year. And I don't think TPTB are particularly concerned with retention at the current time. There are arguably too many ALJs. Plus, this job does not really lend itself particularly well to moving on to something else. |
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Post by Topperlaw on Dec 23, 2021 18:40:19 GMT -5
So my understanding is that we get no actual "raise" unless Congress does. They've gotten no raise in 13 years. If Congress gives themselves a raise after such a large gap, it's likely to be huge. Congress got a 16% raise in 1987 followed by a 25% raise in 1991. Here's to hoping large-scale inflation will mean we're in line for that type of raise sometime soon-ish. Next 3-5years???
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Post by nylawyer on Dec 24, 2021 8:13:07 GMT -5
Given the state of politics today, I can't even picture a scenario where Congress gives itself a raise.
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Post by hopefalj on Dec 24, 2021 9:24:01 GMT -5
Given the amount of money some members of Congress have made over the last year in the market, I doubt they’ll have any need to give themselves a raise.
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Post by Topperlaw on Dec 24, 2021 14:20:17 GMT -5
From 1979 to 2009 they gave themselves 22 raises in 30 years. Senate salaries rose from $60,000 to their current $174,000 in that timeframe...almost 200% in 30 years followed now by 13 consecutive years of 0%. I seriously doubt they go 20 years or more without giving themselves a raise. My guess is it’s just as likely that they eventually make up for all of the non-raise years. I think most professionals in the U.S. would be shocked to learn that senators only make 174,000.
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Post by x on Dec 24, 2021 16:53:39 GMT -5
Who wants to start an "Our Congs Deserve a Raise!" PAC?
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Post by ba on Dec 25, 2021 9:03:02 GMT -5
Given the state of politics today, I can't even picture a scenario where Congress gives itself a raise. Technically, since 1992, Congress can’t give itself a raise (or a pay cut). It can only give the next Congress a raise (or pay cut). |
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Post by ba on Dec 25, 2021 9:05:42 GMT -5
From 1979 to 2009 they gave themselves 22 raises in 30 years. Senate salaries rose from $60,000 to their current $174,000 in that timeframe...almost 200% in 30 years followed now by 13 consecutive years of 0%. I seriously doubt they go 20 years or more without giving themselves a raise. My guess is it’s just as likely that they eventually make up for all of the non-raise years. I think most professionals in the U.S. would be shocked to learn that senators only make 174,000. Considering that a supermajority of the Senate is composed of millionaires, I don’t think people would be that bothered by it. |
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