I wonder if such a situation may entice those who are retirement eligible, and social security eligible, to look closely at how much marginal income they are actually making by continuing to plumb.

At 48 credit hrs a month, even at max scale SO wages, I can't imagine that many "high 5" averages are really growing.

...but don't forget the additional 2% multiplier for each year--- yes!!... but how much is one giving up in retirement and SS?

What's the marginal benefit for continuing to work nights/sit 15 days of reserve for those past 60/65?

It's clearly much less at 48 hrs vs 68 hrs.

...and the life expectancy clock is still ticking away (...shhh, quiet, you can hear it --- it actually gets louder)

If the SO Avg BLGs fall that low, perhaps it's an "early retirement incentive" in disguise.