>>1557436After present for realism. Ideally as beyond it as you'd like the work to remain current.
As close to present as your setting needs. A similar world to that of the reader makes the story more real.
Choosing dates prior to publication would be an uncommon choice. Sometimes this kind of story carries a criticism of sorts to societal and human behaviours, and harms.
But still, I don't think any of that really stops a story from being any enjoyable. You can achieve all of what these decisions aim for, and much more, by really understanding persons. By understanding yourself, and what you really mean from this story (if anything).
It could at last be, that you didn't mean to write post-apocalyptic. Normally a new beginning, and a brighter light is sought.
Wish you great
God speed