The FERS pension is shielded from market fluctuation. 401K's not so much. What if you get stuck at a Regional for a LONG time? Worse yet, what if you have a future medical problem? Ask the thousands of 9/11 era pilots out there what they think about stagnating careers, furloughs, lost pensions and airline Bankruptcy. It has happened in the past and can happen again. Right now times are great, but we are living in a bubble. When will it pop? Who knows... Point is, what you have "in hand" right now, If you don't realize the value of it "now", you will someday appreciate what you have (or had). Is it worth giving it all up to chase shiny objects? Only you can make that
decision, and then ask yourself 25 years later: "Was it worth it?"