>>14266612Damn, I figured that one out with an IQ only in the high 130s. I don't work for the government directly but I work a couple of years and then take three or four off, living off of structured savings that maximize government benefits. When I was in my early 20s I worked for a small public university and have worked on many government projects as a consultant. I haven't run into many 160s or 170s, or if I did, they hid it well. The main reason why I haven't taken an easy government job directly is because most government employees are difficult to be around due to their mind shattering dullness.
Anyone who wants to follow this pattern who is in the US, create two retirement accounts and maximize your contributions to them. Each time you take a couple of years off, you're going to live off of one of those accounts. There's a 10% penalty for early withdraw but since you're going to be living simply, your personal exemption and other deductions will mean that 10% is about the only tax you'll pay. My effective federal tax rate, including the penalty, is usually around 15%. So money that would have been taxes at 32%+ ends up taxed at 1/2rd of that. It's important that you structure it this way in order to get SNAP and other benefits that look at cash holdings in addition to income. Retirement accounts aren't used in SNAP eligibility unless you're already retirement age. Make frequent small "early" withdraws to keep from ever going over the SNAP threshold. This time the tax is much lower because covid allowed for waiving the 10% penalty and most SNAP requirements have been relaxed. Oh, and the government (thanks Obama!) pays my $600/month medical insurance premium.
There are so many ways to work the system. When I'm working, I pay a buttload of taxes being in the 32%-35% brackets so I don't feel bad about getting some of that back. If you want to live a high expense lifestyle, this won't work for you, but if your needs are simple, it works.
