Public sector jobs pay maybe better than market in rural and economically dead areas of the UK. In the South East, they generally pay worse. If you don't beli

Public sector jobs pay maybe better than market in rural and economically dead areas of the UK. In the South East, they generally pay worse. If you don't believe me, go find your job in the civil service website and remember there is no salary negotiation. Senior civil servants make good bank though and have very nice revolving door opportunities, so it's a good career option financially if you expect to get there (i.e. elite education and very good at debates). The final salary pensions you mention have mostly been closed to new entrants - now you just buy into a fund and cash it for an annuity like anywhere else, with like 3-5% employer matched contributions. Existing staff often still have them but can get pushed off them during reorgs so I figure they will be completely gone in about 10 years.