[fintstone]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

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.

It may be true at NASA...but I doubt it. If not illegal....it certainly is close. I know that in DoD, the govt cannot fund a party. the only parties I have seen in my 32 years service were private...and either required attendees to pay or were paid in full by a single person (usually a guy getting promoted).
I do imagine if a fellow won a job-related national level award...the government would likely pay for his travel to receive it though...just like any other employer.