The dream of retiring on a small farm in the USA or a picturesque beach in a foreign country is one that has long captivated the imagination of many. However, for the majority of Americans, especially those working as civil servants in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., this dream often remains out of reach due to retirement regulations and more years of service required.

One innovative and potentially viable solution to this predicament is the concept of retiring by buying out D.C. civil servants, allowing them to afford a country or beachside retirement in various locations.

This essay explores the potential benefits of such a deep state catharsis program, its feasibility, and the ways it can enhance the lives of those dedicated public servants. Presently, many D.C. employees are afraid to even do their job as it may affect their position, lifestyle, benefits, and promotions while most just are doing the job to get a retirement.

I. The Financial Challenges Faced by D.C. Civil Servants

To understand the rationale behind the proposal of retiring by buying out D.C. civil servants, it is crucial to recognize the financial challenges they encounter. Many civil servants in the nation's capital work diligently to serve their country but often find themselves struggling to make ends meet due to the high cost of living in the D.C. metro area.

According to a 2020 report by the Council for Community and Economic Research, Washington, D.C., ranks as one of the most expensive cities to live in the United States, with housing, transportation, and healthcare costs significantly exceeding the national average (C2ER Cost of Living Index). Comparing the national average costs of living to D.C. is shocking. The cost of Living in Washington is 32.7% higher with Housing in Washington, D.C. 124.5% or more higher than the rest of the nation.

II. The Appeal of Beachside or Country Living Retirement

Retiring on a beach holds widespread appeal, not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for the potential for a healthier and more relaxed lifestyle. Beachside living offers numerous physical and mental health benefits, including reduced stress levels, increased physical activity, and exposure to natural beauty that can enhance overall well-being.

Furthermore, the lower cost of living in many foreign or domestic beachside destinations makes this dream financially feasible for those who may not afford it in expensive U.S. cities. For example, you can retire in Costa Rica by applying for a Pensionado visa, but you would simply need a monthly pension income of at least $2,500.

For people who retired under Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) in year 2018, the average monthly annuity was $4,973. For those who retired under Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the average monthly annuity was $1,834.

III. The Concept of Retiring by Buying Out Civil Servants

The concept of retiring by buying out D.C. civil servants involves offering eligible civil servants an attractive financial package that allows them to retire earlier than they might have otherwise considered.

In exchange for their years of service, the government or a public-private partnership could provide civil servants with a lump-sum payment, pension enhancements, or a combination of incentives that would enable them to live comfortably in a beachside location abroad.  Politicians have been talking about elimination by attrition of government jobs for over 30 years.

IV. Feasibility and Benefits

1. Cost Savings for the Government: Retiring by buying out D.C. civil servants could result in cost savings for the government in the long run. By incentivizing civil servants to retire earlier, the government may reduce its long-term pension and healthcare liabilities, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars.
2. Enhanced Quality of Life: For the civil servants themselves, this program offers the opportunity to enjoy their retirement years in a more affordable and fulfilling manner. Access to affordable healthcare, housing, and leisure activities in local domestic or foreign beachside destinations can significantly enhance their quality of life.
3. Economic Stimulus for Destination Retirement Centers: The influx of retirees into rural or beachside communities could stimulate the local economy. Retirees often contribute to the local economy through spending on goods and services, thereby boosting tourism and generating employment opportunities in these communities.
4. Cultural Exchange and Diplomacy: Retiring by buying out DC civil servants can foster cultural exchange and diplomacy as retirees become part of the local communities. This can promote cross-cultural understanding and strengthen international relationships.

Retiring by buying out D.C. civil servants is an innovative and potentially mutually beneficial concept that addresses the financial challenges faced by public servants in the nation's capital and provides government workers with the dignity and opportunity to live out their dream while reducing government waste and inefficiency.

With technology and AI abilities, many of jobs will not have any work to do. This D.C. program has the potential to offer up to a trillion dollars in long-term cost savings for the government, enhance the quality of life for retirees, stimulate destination economies, and promote cross-cultural understanding. While implementation details and potential challenges should be thoroughly considered, the concept holds promise as a creative way to reward dedicated civil servants and enable them to escape the debt trap of hyperinflation in the D.C. metro area.

You can always incentivize new retirees to stay and spend in the USA also by providing state and federal tax benefits. Further, many states don’t charge state tax on pension amounts up to a certain level.  Thus, there are great affordable-states in the USA to live and retire or even have a small farm with gardens or livestock.

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Commissioner George Mentz JD MBA CILS CWM® is an international lawyer, speaker, educator, tax-economist, and CEO of the GAFM Global Academy of Finance & Management ®. The GAFM is a ESQ accredited graduate body that trains and certifies professionals in 150+ nations under CHEA ACBSP and ISO 21001 standards. Mentz is also an award winning author and graduate law professor of wealth management for a top U.S. law school.