Veterans administration 72/80

[Carrie Johnson, BSN]

I am wondering if anyone has insight on the 72/80 schedule at VA hospitals? We just submitted a proposal and leadership is saying it can effect your retirement. I have not read this anywhere. Looking for any more info I can get on what impact it will have. Thanks:)

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I work VA. Yes, if you go to a 72 hour schedule it will impact your retirement as you are working less therefore you are earning less. We have tried to get the 72 hour schedule at my VA but they will not budge so now I just try to make a manageable schedule using the 80 hour schedule. I don't mind doing the 6 12's and an 8 in a 2 week window but now I a more comfortable doing 2 12's and 2 8's.

[Carrie Johnson, BSN]

On 8/21/2020 at 9:40 AM, OUxPhys said:

I work VA. Yes, if you go to a 72 hour schedule it will impact your retirement as you are working less therefore you are earning less. We have tried to get the 72 hour schedule at my VA but they will not budge so now I just try to make a manageable schedule using the 80 hour schedule. I don't mind doing the 6 12's and an 8 in a 2 week window but now I a more comfortable doing 2 12's and 2 8's.

Thanks. I have reached out to VA’s that do this to try and see the impact. I only see what is in the policy, that says you are a full time employee. But leadership here has asked for more info, so I’m gonna try and find some. Thanks again!

[tt2323, BSN]

From the retirement standpoint the VA is 3 tier. So with less hours = decrease in TSP/% of match and your contributions. Lower high 3 salary number as well. Could be substantial but doesn’t seem to be too bad.

[NelleG]

72/80 means work 72 hours, get paid for 80.  Therefore you do not earn less.  If anything you might earn more since you have freed a day to potentially work OT.  I like the scheduling much better this way but it has not seemed to help retention, which was the intent.