Is retirement an age or an asset number for you?

[Anonymous]

At the start of my career, I assumed I would work until age 65 and then retire. Later on, I wanted to retire as soon as I could afford to support a middle-class lifestyle forever. Now, I'm seeing my parents and in-laws who work/worked full-time past retirement age, and I've noticed their jobs have kept them mentally sharp and physically healthy. Working with young colleagues 1/2 or even 1/3 their age has kept them up-to-date on societal trends and technology. I'm now planning on maintaining part-time work for long after I retire from full-time work. But I still hope to retire from full-time work ahead of schedule.

[Anonymous]

Number for me. We just hit it and will retire in January. Zero concerns with not working. We’re active, around all age groups and will have plenty to do.

[Anonymous]

I'm not worried about losing brain power to not working. I'm involved in plenty of hobbies and volunteer work.

I can't pull my pension until age + years of service = 85, which happens right at 55 for me. That's my magic number.

[Anonymous]

Both. It's first a number, but if I don't reach the number by 60, I'm retiring and readjusting my budget. In all likelihood, I'll reach my number before 50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not worried about losing brain power to not working. I'm involved in plenty of hobbies and volunteer work.

I can't pull my pension until age + years of service = 85, which happens right at 55 for me. That's my magic number.

Same. I'm a reader, have several hobbies, and love volunteering with kids. Not at all worried about being bored, losing brain power, or being isolated in retirement.

[Anonymous]

It’s both for us too. We are assuming 65, but if your accounts look good before then, msg e before. My DH will turn 65 first, so there a chance I retire when he does. It’ll depend how the accounts look though! Our kids will be done with college, so where they are in life might play a role as well.

[Anonymous]

It all depends on what happens with the ACA and if there is a healthcare option to be purchased.

[Anonymous]

Early retirement is a number for me. But I also have an age in mind where I'm not going to work anymore even if it means my retirement will be kind of crappy based on my resources.

[Anonymous]

Number for me.

I think the ability to retire is different from actually retiring. Having the ability to retire (which is more of a Number) but choosing not to because I would prefer to be a bit older or because I enjoy the work still or because I switch to a more fulfilling but less lucrative job... that is my dream.

[Anonymous]

Both. I also had 65 in mind (which is now one year away) and plan to stop full time work in 2027. But I will work part time for a couple of years after that to transition both out of work and into retirement. I have gotten more focused on 65 as I have seen parents and colleagues age and want to have some retirement time while I am still healthy/active.

I also have a target number in mind, which I have now exceeded, so that is no longer a limiter.

[Anonymous]

It's both. 65 is the current goal -- 59 now. Earlier goal was 55 but that was not realistic both from a money perspective and because you do want to stay sharp and be active and have fun. 65 could become 63 or 68. Hopefully 65 and part time for a couple of years after that so the first couple of years does not require much of a draw down. What you can't control though is being thrown out at 63 or 64.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Early retirement is a number for me. But I also have an age in mind where I'm not going to work anymore even if it means my retirement will be kind of crappy based on my resources.

OP here. What is your number/age?

[Anonymous]

Asset number!

[Anonymous]

Both. I feel like I need to work until both kids are out of college no matter the asset number.

Anyone else feel that way?

[Anonymous]

A number. TikTok will keep me up to date on societal trends.