Job opportunity - but losing pension benefits - I'm three years into my career post-masters and have been incredibly happy in my job. I make $56,000 currently. I am 90% WFH and have great work-life balance. Job has a great reputation for treating employees very well, I have no reason to leave. My current job typically 'caps' at $65k unless you're willing to take on overnight on-call responsibilities (i'm generally not).

My wonderful supervisor recently left after nearly 15 years to take a state level job. A role directly under them is being posted, and it's come to my attention that this supervisor (strongly) wants me to apply (it's a very good fit for me, I would excel in this position and have extensive knowledge and experience in the specific role). I think I've built a great reputation, and I'm honestly very flattered in this situation.

That role is currently paying it's 4 employees in that position $74, $75, $76k, and one at $68k. I'm not sure what negotiations are like on the state level, but I'd expect/ask for at the very least 70-75k.

The job is mostly WFH (maybe 1x a week max. in office with 1hour each way commute), with potential for more travel/conference responsibilities (which is a con for me). Current commute is 15min 1x week.

My husband and I make decent money and are in a stable financial spot. We can pay our bills, own a home... However, an additional 20k would be incredible to invest a lot more/pay off my final bit of student loans, etc.

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Pros:

\-Increase of 15-20k salary

\-significant increase in room for growth (responsibilities and income)

Cons:

\-leaving comfort and work-life balance

\-increase in commute (1hr each way, 1x per week max) and possible increase in travel to conferences etc. (I do not enjoy work travel).

\-lose pension at current position (it vests at 5 years, is not portable until that point, so I'd get a cash-out refund from my contributions of about $8k). Pension is 5% employee contribution, and calculated at: avg highest 5 year salary x .016 x years of service / 12 months.

\-leaving current job in a bind, that department would be honestly floundering without myself and my supervisor's specific contributions. I'm not trying to toot my horn, it's just the reality that it would leave them in a bind. I'd want/try to give as much notice as possible to help replace and train someone.