[David]

I'm amazed at some of the stuff I hear gov't employees doing (NASA comes to mind).

I here stories of being flown cross country for big lavish award ceremonies (i.e. parties).

When I ask them about it, they say they get these perks because they don't get paid as well as the private sector.

Well, for the most part the private sector doesn't throw big expensive parties and retirement is a thing of the past.

I'm lucky enough to catch the transition from a full retirement plan to no retirement plan. I get 4% of my salary put in a retirement account, but any new hires only get the 401K match. This is a Fortune 500 company.