Federal agencies claim they desperately want and need young people. And they are doing things, like helping pay student loans, to get people. And shortening the time it takes to get hired.

But few, if any, agencies are doing enough to keep young people once they get them.

In some federal agencies young people (30 and under) are as rare as a good sweet tea in New York City. The average age of feds is around 48 and the average age at first hire is about 32.

The government claims it wants, indeed desperately needs, more young people to fend off the still-pending brain drain. Yet once they are hired, Uncle Sam doesn’t do much to persuade the young feds to become old feds – to make a career of government service.

The fact is that by the time they’ve focused on retirement, many if not most federal workers realize they made a pretty wise choice staying in government. The indexed-to-inflation retirement system, the health-insurance-for-life option and the federal 401(k) plan are unmatched in the private sector. And we may have a solution to getting and keeping young folks in the fold.

But first…

Take this test which will help determine the age IQ of your agency and especially your office. Aside from talk about work, and what a jerk the boss can be, what is it that most people in your office talk about?

1. Do they speculate whether David or David will be the next American Idol? Are they happy (or ignorant) of how much weight Ruben has lost and what really happened to Clay? Or do they talk about how much money they are going to pledge to PBS?
2. When talking about money, do your colleagues debate the pros and cons of the TSP’s C vs. I funds? Or is their idea of high finance Deal Or No Deal? (As a personal aside, what’s with Howie’s goatee?)
3. Are your office mates incensed over what Dwight said or did to Pam last night on the TV show, The Office? Or do they think you are talking about Dwight Eisenhower?
4. Do your colleagues listen up when somebody claims to have discovered a real cure for arthritis or is “the horror of tan lines” the topic de jour.
5. Which of these terms is most likely to come up in a conversation in your office: Hunk or Bladder Control?

The way you answered those questions will tell, pretty much, the average age of your office. And that will tell you how focused (or not) people are on investing and retirement.

Some people think the government is making a mistake by limiting investment and pre-retirement seminars to folks who are 5 years away from retirement. Many believe that if younger folks got a professional checkup on their benefits, on the importance of investing, the value of compounding, etc., they would be more likely to stick around.

To that end Francis Rose and I have great radio show for you today. Our guest is is financial planner Rebecca Schreiber and the topic is Financial Education for Young Feds.

She’ll focus on what you can and should be doing at any age, but especially if you are young and at the beginning or middle of your career. The show, Your Turn With Mike Causey, is on WFED AM 1050 in the Washington area, or you can listen anywhere by going to www.federalnewsradio.com.

We are on from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. EDT. Check it out regardless of your age. And tell a friend.

Nearly Useless Factoid

The American Red Cross is 127 years old today. Why this is nearly useless: we don’t have cake.

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com

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