What pharmacy jobs offer a pension?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Lexington2012

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2012
Messages
425
Reaction score
206
Another poster mentioned that he was a pharmacist and will be getting a pension. I'm not aware of any companies that offer this sort of benefit. Who offers a pension plan in 2015?

Members don't see this ad.
 
I have one but the company discontinued it in 2004. But I was here before that in another role. Suckas!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
There aren't many left there in the wild. I don't even think VA jobs offer pensions anymore but I may be wrong. If you're lucky enough to be making 120k and have a decent 401k match you should be able to save plenty for retirement though.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
I did a bit of googling and found that Military and IHS offer this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Very few employers still offer pension.

Public health service, state hospital and prison , military, county health department, state pharmacy school and board of pharmacy are the options in my state that I know of who offer pensions.

I work for one the above mentioned employers as a clinical pharmacist. The pension is a great perk but I still max out my 457b deferred savings account.

I don't recommend choosing a job based on pension, you have to enjoy doing it for 20-40 years. I feel blessed to really enjoy my job and have great salary and benefits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Another poster mentioned that he was a pharmacist and will be getting a pension. I'm not aware of any companies that offer this sort of benefit. Who offers a pension plan in 2015?

Some hospitals still do. I'll qualify after a total of 5 years at my primary job.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Sutter and Dignity Health in CA do. In the amount of about 5% of your salary. 100% employer contribution.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Sutter and Dignity Health in CA do. In the amount of about 5% of your salary. 100% employer contribution.

I was pretty sure dignity does, but that's a per diem
For me so I don't qualify.
 
Sutter and Dignity Health in CA do. In the amount of about 5% of your salary. 100% employer contribution.

Whoa, I gotta get my California license and switch to Sutter then.

VA still offers pension, but your contribution will be about 4.4%.
 
Interesting, I didn't realize there were many hospitals still doing this. My spouses hospital offers a small pension but I think they are trying to phase this out.
 
The hospital I work at offers a pension. It is state owned.
 
Interesting, I didn't realize there were many hospitals still doing this. My spouses hospital offers a small pension but I think they are trying to phase this out.

They're phasing it out at my primary job. I don't think it is offered to new hires any longer.
 
Don't get too excited about pensions. What looks to be guaranteed now, can easily be wiped out by a future Republican government (either on state or federal level).
Just read the news about pension plans if you don't believe me. We are a nation of debt and one of the easiest ways to reduce debt burden is to wipe out pension obligations. The demographics, birth rates, and debt levels of this country do not provide for a favorable pension outlook over the next 30 years.

I would much rather have my retirement money in my hands than in the hands of government and business leaders that can nuke a pension plan at any time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
Don't get too excited about pensions. What looks to be guaranteed now, can easily be wiped out by a future Republican government (either on state or federal level).
Just read the news about pension plans if you don't believe me. We are a nation of debt and one of the easiest ways to reduce debt burden is to wipe out pension obligations. The demographics, birth rates, and debt levels of this country do not provide for a favorable pension outlook over the next 30 years.

I would much rather have my retirement money in my hands than in the hands of government and business leaders that can nuke a pension plan at any time.
Completely agree. If my pension is there when I retire/make it to retirement age ;), then that is great. I am not betting on it though. Still recommend maxing out other tax deferred accounts and investing after tax funds in other investments.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Some hospitals still do. I'll qualify after a total of 5 years at my primary job.

My old hospital, where I worked for almost 7 years, did.

I recently got a letter stating that I could draw from it in any of 3 ways: $108 a month starting right about now; $271 a month starting on my 65th birthday; or the whole annuity right now, which could be rolled over into my 403b without penalty.

I will be getting a 5-figure infusion into my retirement account any day now. After the way they screwed me over, I hope it multiples many times over by the time I need to draw on it.
 
Few places offer pensions, people who are getting them, are getting them because they were working before the date that their employer phased out the pensions. Even then, just because one is getting a pension, doesn't mean they are actually getting a livable amount. My monthly hospital pension is expected to be less than what I currently make in one day (granted I got in on the tail end, its all 403-B now....but still. Certainly its better than nothing, but it is not something that I could retire and live on.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
My old hospital, where I worked for almost 7 years, did.

I recently got a letter stating that I could draw from it in any of 3 ways: $108 a month starting right about now; $271 a month starting on my 65th birthday; or the whole annuity right now, which could be rolled over into my 403b without penalty.

I will be getting a 5-figure infusion into my retirement account any day now. After the way they screwed me over, I hope it multiples many times over by the time I need to draw on it.

I checked that account online later in the evening. Got it! :highfive:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
There are two different types of pensions, the old fashioned defined benefit (riskier if underfunded) and the newer and becoming more popular defined contribution.

Dignity Health has a defined contribution plan where the company provides 6% of your salary annually and previous balances earn 5%. Good deal on top of a 403(b) with less risk of winding up with nothing (because it is defined contribution -- you may take it out/roll it over).

Maricopa Integrated Health Systems offers a pension through the state retirement system that you need to contribute some amount to. Mayo Clinic also a defined benefit pension plan with no contribution needed from employees. I think many hospitals systems still have some form of pension.

You can Google them like I did.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Some major Phama might. I'll get about $800 a month 60 something for working as a medicinal chemist before pharmacy school. Of course by then $800 would be like $200 today. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
I work for the VA and I don't contribute anywhere close to 4.4% for the pension...its closer to like .8%. You qualify after 5 years of service.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Top