I'm not sure where exactly you are planning on walking into a public sector job. They don't really fill them on merit. You can read into that.
Would have to build my reputation again
Hahaha. Just stop right there. No, you just need seniority. You might be bossed around by something with a highschool diploma. You think merit counts for anything. I'm sorry I about ruined my key board.
Keep current glory, 100% work at home, cushion private-sector job or jump into the public sector for $36000 tax deferring ability + pension rollover?
You wouldn't make it 1 month in the public sector. Seniority is the pretty much the only thing that counts. There is a reason Obama's website crashed like 7 times and they had to finally subcontract it out. Plus you'll get to work with a bunch of people who basically can't be fired and 90% are also incapable of doing their job or just don't give a shit anymore. This what happens when you don't hire on merit and can't fire people. Do you think there is a reason the DMV is a nightmare?
https://www.reddit.com/user/FedWorkerThrowaway
Go read his comments. It reads like a horror novel for me.
The post where he talks about people "trying to help" and going around and trying to help other people really rings true. That's the worst thing you can do. You'll get nothing for the extra work. It will become your work though and then you'll get yelled at when it starts getting screwed up. Of course they can't really fire you so whatever. Eventually through condition you join the ranks of 90%ers and give up. Hard work doesn't pay. Further depending on what you are working on you could spend 1 year doing one thing. Then an election happens and they just scrub that and do the complete opposite.
It isn't worth the tax writeoffs. A lot of places the pension is less than shit if you aren't there the full time. So yeah if you get in at 18 and get your union raises and your 30 years there is a good chance you are done working at 48 and can lead a very comfortable life.
It isn't worth the tax deferrals. Just max out your 401k and you Roth.