Letter to the editor

I hear all the time that it is cost-effective to outsource information technology services and I cannot understand this. I think there should be a new study made now that we are under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the government does not have to pay that much into the retirement system anymore.

I can't understand how hiring a full-time GS employee is costing the government more money that hiring a contractor. I was a contractor making $65,000 a year, but the government was paying $125,000 for my services to my company.

If the government had hired me at a GS-13 even with FERS and Thrift Savings Plan at 5 percent, I don't think the cost to the government would be more than $125,000. Plus, the government would not have to worry as much about me leaving because of something better and it would have someone who would be there for the long haul.

I just don't see how under the new retirement system the government is saving money contracting out all IT services. Maybe I'm missing something, but I have looked at all the figures and they don't add up.

Name withheld by request