Feeling guilty about early retirement

[Anonymous]

I’m in my early 50s and retired 9 months ago. We have about $200k of annual investment income, which works fine for us and will last as long as we need it. In other words, I don’t need to work. Yet, if I did work, I could make about $300k and my investments could continue to grow (even more to gift the kids). Given all the talk about great salaries, raises, and easy WFH, I wonder if I should work just because I can or to have extra spending money. I’m not doing anything meaningful with my time, but I do enjoy my flexibility/freedom. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

What is the investment income from - inherited or you invested in it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the investment income from - inherited or you invested in it?

OP here. A combination of pension and conservative drawdown of retirement assets that we built ourselves. No inheritance.

[Anonymous]

You won the game, congrats. Don't look back.

[Anonymous]

Do what makes you happiest. Maybe part-time work or volunteering would be a good fit for you?

In any case, no need to feel guilty about retiring if you can afford it. We all know people who have died too young or developed serious illness. There is more to life than work. Enjoy it while you can because tomorrow is not promised.

[Anonymous]

You can do something meaningful that is unpaid.

[Anonymous]

I have never seen a headstone that said, "so and so could have worked more."

[Anonymous]

Dude. time > everything

If you can do it, retire.

[Anonymous]

Your kids would rather see you happy for many years than inherit money 30 years from now, I promise. I am relieved to see my parents retire. My inheritance or lack there of is not an issue.

[Anonymous]

$200k of passive income is a lot. Yes, you could get even more by working but why?

[Anonymous]

I would concentrate on finding something personally meaningful to do with your time, and then you'll be better able to decide if it's "worth it."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would concentrate on finding something personally meaningful to do with your time, and then you'll be better able to decide if it's "worth it."

I am not saying you have to volunteer 40 hours/week. But I think it would assuage some of your guilt and counter any feelings of adrift-ness.

[Anonymous]

Enjoy your well-deserved next phase of life! Early retirement sounds great. I think you just need some time to figure out what you want to do and how you want to spend your time.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the thoughts. The overwhelming response seems to be to look forward, and I think that’s right. It’s time for something new, but I just need to find it. I’ll reconsider my interests and try some things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$200k of passive income is a lot. Yes, you could get even more by working but why?

I believe she said she wanted to leave more to her children.

I'm in my early 50s. I will never be able to retire. I can't afford not to continue working.

A medical setback can really leave anyone financially devastated. In early 50s, you're not qualified for Medicare.