I get paid a decent salary with room to grow in the government. I am not on the GS scale though so my pay increases are much higher than someone on it. I have a strict 40 hour work week, currently get 20 annual leave days and 13 sick days a year, TSP with matching contributions, and FEHB. I've always considered leaving to make more money but the thing that always holds me back is the guaranteed pension if I stay in until my minimum retirement age. I always decided that stability was better for me because I watched my parents struggle when things weren't stable for them.