Thank you so much for this great info. I just accepted a 12-month rotation as a Civilian Federal Employee in Japan and will be getting LQA and Post Allowance which I knew nothing about… I did have a question, do you get the max LQA no matter what you rent is? Or do you only get reimbursed your actual rent cost up to your LQA amount? Also did you ever make a reimbursement spreadsheet? If so, would you be willing to share?
I wrote a blog post about the LQA and just uploaded a video about it. Basically the LQA has to cover move in costs, rent, and utilites. The government will pay you up to a max amount and then after that you have to cover the rest. The LQA is set up with HR and once an agreement is signed you get paid bi-weekly. My blog, jimkendall.net, has an example of a spreedsheet to help track these costs.
Hi, i didn't see the spreadsheet on your blog. Can you provide a copy via email? Also, my HR doesn'tdo the sf1190 the employee does😩😢 ,@jimkendall3868
Adjusted basic pay is not used in the calculations for retirement of CONUS employees. Only base pay without locality is used, no matter what allowances you may receive, including hazard, separation, etc.
This is the greatest most informative video about this geared towards civilians. Also, I spent 3 years in Atsugi from 2006-2009, hands down the best place I've ever been stationed and have been desperately trying to get back but as of now, I'm potentially Hawaii bound and I can't find the QLA rate for it. Any thoughts? Thank you so much for the information! Have fun in Japan.
@@gardenia8085 one last question how to calculate the 10.28 COLA percentage or what would that actually equate to in dollars. I'm trying to assess our financial situation before completely committing, I mean who wants to be in paradise and be poor it seems as if OPM didn't get it right right with Hawaii because everyone knows that it's expensive but the pay doesn't reflect that reality. Thanks in advance.
Usajobs.gov. look for outside of the US positions and you need to currently be in the US. Also look for relocation assistance is authorized on the job announcements
Hey, I have recently accepted a TJO for a civilian OCONUS PCS and I am waiting for orders. There is a lot of back and forth, and I’m a bit frustrated. I would love to pick the brain of somebody who has been through this. If you would so kindly be willing to have a chat with me about this, I would be very grateful.
USAJobs.gov is the website for finding open positions within the US government. My experience is based on being an appropriated funds general service employee. There are many different types of employees. Go to OPM.gov to start researching the different types of employees and also to find position descriptions for the kind of jobs your interested in.
I have a question. I received a DOD relocation incentive and it is 20% of my base pay. Is this considered an advance on pay or is this completely free? I want to make sure before I sign it.
No, I don't think so. I've gotten incentives before and it's just cash to me. The pay advance that I got for here was very clearly an advance that was to be paid back. The paperwork I signed for the advance was clear about the terms of paying back.
Thank you for all of this information. This insight is extremely helpful in consideration towards a position overseas.
Glad I found your video. You are a good speaker, not monotone or boring. Keep doing these videos on your experience working and living in Japan.
Your video is insanely helpful, thank you so much!
Very helpful, thank you
Very helpful thank you
Great video spot on information
great video!
Possibly headed for Rota Spain, but not sure it’s worth it. Now we pay taxes on our move?
Thank you so much for this great info. I just accepted a 12-month rotation as a Civilian Federal Employee in Japan and will be getting LQA and Post Allowance which I knew nothing about… I did have a question, do you get the max LQA no matter what you rent is? Or do you only get reimbursed your actual rent cost up to your LQA amount?
Also did you ever make a reimbursement spreadsheet? If so, would you be willing to share?
I wrote a blog post about the LQA and just uploaded a video about it. Basically the LQA has to cover move in costs, rent, and utilites. The government will pay you up to a max amount and then after that you have to cover the rest. The LQA is set up with HR and once an agreement is signed you get paid bi-weekly. My blog, jimkendall.net, has an example of a spreedsheet to help track these costs.
Hi, i didn't see the spreadsheet on your blog. Can you provide a copy via email? Also, my HR doesn'tdo the sf1190 the employee does😩😢 ,@jimkendall3868
Adjusted basic pay is not used in the calculations for retirement of CONUS employees. Only base pay without locality is used, no matter what allowances you may receive, including hazard, separation, etc.
This is the greatest most informative video about this geared towards civilians. Also, I spent 3 years in Atsugi from 2006-2009, hands down the best place I've ever been stationed and have been desperately trying to get back but as of now, I'm potentially Hawaii bound and I can't find the QLA rate for it. Any thoughts? Thank you so much for the information! Have fun in Japan.
Thanks!! Ya, I love it here. As for LQA for Hawaii, I don't think it's offered because it's still in the US even though it's not the continental US.
No LQA in Hawaii unfortunately
@@gardenia8085 thank you so much!!
@@gardenia8085 one last question how to calculate the 10.28 COLA percentage or what would that actually equate to in dollars. I'm trying to assess our financial situation before completely committing, I mean who wants to be in paradise and be poor it seems as if OPM didn't get it right right with Hawaii because everyone knows that it's expensive but the pay doesn't reflect that reality. Thanks in advance.
Where do you apply?
Usajobs.gov. look for outside of the US positions and you need to currently be in the US. Also look for relocation assistance is authorized on the job announcements
Hey, I have recently accepted a TJO for a civilian OCONUS PCS and I am waiting for orders. There is a lot of back and forth, and I’m a bit frustrated. I would love to pick the brain of somebody who has been through this. If you would so kindly be willing to have a chat with me about this, I would be very grateful.
Sry for the late response. How r things coming along?
Loved the video! Did the government get you your visa? My main incentive for taking a job with the military would be that they get me the visa haha
Yes, I am in Japan on the SOFA visa which stands for status of force agreement
How would I go about finding a company to work with? Do you have names of them? How would I get started?
USAJobs.gov is the website for finding open positions within the US government. My experience is based on being an appropriated funds general service employee. There are many different types of employees. Go to OPM.gov to start researching the different types of employees and also to find position descriptions for the kind of jobs your interested in.
I have a question. I received a DOD relocation incentive and it is 20% of my base pay. Is this considered an advance on pay or is this completely free? I want to make sure before I sign it.
No, I don't think so. I've gotten incentives before and it's just cash to me. The pay advance that I got for here was very clearly an advance that was to be paid back. The paperwork I signed for the advance was clear about the terms of paying back.