If you are under 50

I been at this for 27 years. Gonna retire within 6 mos. I got over 2M and I’m not worried about a thing. No debt.

This job is and has been for a long time absolutely silly. I don’t give a shit, I was just riding it out for the $$. FU corporate America, I will take you for every cent I can. We r nothing but a number on a ledger to them, they will fuck you so I will fuck them first. I say play this game as long as possible, drive around lying about calls. Drop a few samples, sling some deli and cash that check.

Anyone think KF gives a shit about anything beyond his own ass——nope.

FU mother.

this is the only attitude to have when working at Merck..F them before they F you...it's all a big scam and charade anyway...

and they will can you unceremoniously the minute you get too comfy and secure...
 






this is the only attitude to have when working at Merck..F them before they F you...it's all a big scam and charade anyway...

and they will can you unceremoniously the minute you get too comfy and secure...

That’s been my mantra for 20 years. I’ve seen too many good people get screwed by Mama Merck. Pharma is in for a big fall, and the bigger they are.....
 






Is 3 million or 5 million needed to retire?

Too many variables to give advice. I’m 66, Medicare and SS are big factors. Have 2 ml in 401k. No debt. Enjoyed life while younger and Saw many nice places on Merck’s dime by winning trips, and neither of us are into travel. We live very comfortably with no wants. Spoil the hell out of our grandkids. Downsizing home, maybe 2 condos to snowbird it. Basic expenses, home, car, insurance, etc. run a little over 34K. Don’t see a need to have to dip into any savings until it’s mandatory at 70.

All depends on the lifestyle you want at retirement and at what age you pull the plug. . For some 500k is enough, for others 10 mil is needed.
 












Had a great 35 year run in the pharmaceutical industry. The comments above are interesting. Little do these people (who THINK) they are so secure see what is on the horizon. Social security will be redistributed as it and Medicare are not sustainable. Be prepared to forfeit some ss and you will be paying a lot more for Medicare especially when universal health care gets started thanks to the socialistic democrats. People will be assessed by their total wealth and upwardly taxed accordingly. As for the industry: heard the doom and gloom going back years. The job would not be there; etc. Sort of like President Trump: he will never win, he will never finish one year, two years....wrong. The salary is great as are the benefits and the car; you have to do something so you might as well do a pharma rep job as it beats a lot of others no matter what the pessimists say; most of them are just JEALOUS and angry. Like the socialistic democrats who lost the election.

All the gloom and doom would disappear if you were smart enough to have a side business while working part time for Pfizer.
There’s always the dole....liquidate your money, give it to your kids and let the govt support you like all the rest of the freeloading parasites in this country.
 






Hey ya friggin turds it’s Macgruber here... You walk around like your shit dont stink. Well I've got news for you, your shit does stink (sniff sniff) It stinks like shit! This company is the tits..
 












Had a great 35 year run in the pharmaceutical industry. The comments above are interesting. Little do these people (who THINK) they are so secure see what is on the horizon. Social security will be redistributed as it and Medicare are not sustainable. Be prepared to forfeit some ss and you will be paying a lot more for Medicare especially when universal health care gets started thanks to the socialistic democrats. People will be assessed by their total wealth and upwardly taxed accordingly. As for the industry: heard the doom and gloom going back years. The job would not be there; etc. Sort of like President Trump: he will never win, he will never finish one year, two years....wrong. The salary is great as are the benefits and the car; you have to do something so you might as well do a pharma rep job as it beats a lot of others no matter what the pessimists say; most of them are just JEALOUS and angry. Like the socialistic democrats who lost the election.
 






The only thing more sickening than your simplistic and ignorant characterization of the will of the vast majority of this country is your belief that pushing over-priced drugs in a non-cost competitive and redundant industry is free market enterprise. Housekeeping staff at Motel 6 have more integrity.
 






The only thing more sickening than your simplistic and ignorant characterization of the will of the vast majority of this country is your belief that pushing over-priced drugs in a non-cost competitive and redundant industry is free market enterprise. Housekeeping staff at Motel 6 have more integrity.
Too many free loaders in US, “entitled” to everything because they live here.
 






Heard this 10 years ago, will still be Chicken Little’s like you 10 years from now. Need to hire people who have the ability to sell, they will always be in need in all industries. You are correct, people like you will get weeded out, anyone can go collect signatures!

Sell? Is that what you call it? You’re delusional. Pharma is doomed. Medicare for all or whatever hybrid scheme the politicians decide on will be the end of. Pharma. Once Medicaid starts to negotiate prices you can kiss your lazy ass good bye. The millions our lobbyists pay these shitbag politicians will mean nothing.
Enjoy it while you can. The end
Is near.
 






Good post.. Pharma has been on slow erosion mode for 20 years now... think back to 19 years, pharma could not hire fast enough...they'll still be reps. but once gov't starts negotiating pricing look out.. I'd recommend pharma to anyone under 30,, great training, good pay and benefits... but 2.5 years would be the maximum a youngster should stay in...,
 






























Had a great 35 year run in the pharmaceutical industry. The comments above are interesting. Little do these people (who THINK) they are so secure see what is on the horizon. Social security will be redistributed as it and Medicare are not sustainable. Be prepared to forfeit some ss and you will be paying a lot more for Medicare especially when universal health care gets started thanks to the socialistic democrats. People will be assessed by their total wealth and upwardly taxed accordingly. As for the industry: heard the doom and gloom going back years. The job would not be there; etc. Sort of like President Trump: he will never win, he will never finish one year, two years....wrong. The salary is great as are the benefits and the car; you have to do something so you might as well do a pharma rep job as it beats a lot of others no matter what the pessimists say; most of them are just JEALOUS and angry. Like the socialistic democrats who lost the election.
 






I spent 33 years in various positions in Pharma sales and marketing. 30 of those years were with Merck at different levels in the field and at West Point. Like one of the posters mentioned the first 10-15 years was fun and upward mobility was certainly available if you chose to play the corporate game. Dire predictions were made years ago regarding the demise of pharmaceutical sales. The predictions were correct but the timing of the death of the job was premature. It has been a long, slow, painful death and it seems this will continue. The position has become one that offers very little gratification due to poor access, reduced respect from physicians, and inability to deliver meaningful information regarding our products due to Pharma guidelines. Healthcare professionals don't really need to see us as we are not allowed to pass along anything meaningful as we are restricted to indications, contraindications, AE's, and cost. There will be pharmaceutical reps in the future but the contraction of our numbers will continue and the QOL of the reps will continue to diminish. The job provided a pretty good income and I have been able to retire with a reasonable amount of money and financial security. I can't change the past but I do think that I would have been more fulfilled if I had made a career change after several years in the industry. Work hard, do your best given the environment you're working in but look after yourself as no one else will. Good luck.
 






"The position has become one that offers very little gratification due to poor access, reduced respect from physicians, and inability to deliver meaningful information regarding our products due to Pharma guidelines. Healthcare professionals don't really need to see us as we are not allowed to pass along anything meaningful as we are restricted to indications, contraindications, AE's, and cost."

That is the best breakdown of what has happened that I've ever seen. Kudos.