if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it

[Anonymous]

Teacher for 30 years = pension at 55
1 child, graduated college when I was 50 so no more major expenses
House paid off thanks to covid level interest rates and refinancing.
Diligent saver in ROTH IRA and 403b from the time I was 22.
Eligible to buy health insurance through my employer until 65 for medicare.

I turn 55 in March and will be retired in June. Spouse will retire when he hits 58 next year (30 years for him at his company that somehow still has a pension too).

[Anonymous]

DH and I downsized. We are selling our inside-the-beltway NoVA house (we had tenants for a couple of years) and have moved to way outside the beltway. This drastically reduced our housing costs and we are pulling about 600k in cash out of the house we are selling. DH is retiring soon enough, probably in about a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I downsized. We are selling our inside-the-beltway NoVA house (we had tenants for a couple of years) and have moved to way outside the beltway. This drastically reduced our housing costs and we are pulling about 600k in cash out of the house we are selling. DH is retiring soon enough, probably in about a year.

I'm this PP. Adding that I'm 56 and have 95% retired (I'm taking a few freelance gigs here and there), and DH is 67 and still working, but like I said retiring soon.

[Anonymous]

DH plans to retire at 58. He’s 53 and a career fed. He’ll get his pension, healthcare and we have about 3 mil in 401ks/TSP so far. Kids’ colleges are funded. I’ll keep working for a couple more years after that.

[Anonymous]

60, single, Fed lifer, always maxed out thrift contributions, generally live modestly. Could have retired at 58 and now planning on later this year.

[Anonymous]

$500-$600 a month invested was enough to retire at 47.
Three cars and a condo were the only bigger purchases. I was never out of work for long, no emergencies, and never sick. Finances separate from my partner as they just loved to spend while I budgeted.
Kids will pay for their own college. They have the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$500-$600 a month invested was enough to retire at 47.
Three cars and a condo were the only bigger purchases. I was never out of work for long, no emergencies, and never sick. Finances separate from my partner as they just loved to spend while I budgeted.
Kids will pay for their own college. They have the money.

Where did your kids get the money to pay for their own college/how much do they have?

[Anonymous]

30 years fed service at 58. Pension + healthy TSP balance + 1 child done with college by then+ modest lifestyle. I still have a mortgage due to divorce and would like to downsize but am in no rush to sell the house.

[Anonymous]

PP ^ only child and done with college, I should clarify.

[Anonymous]

Both DH and I have good jobs and high savings (we are in jobs with high commission and bonuses and we save/invest those). Our biggest concern is healthcare as we do not get continued healthcare after we retire. I’m thinking of finding a pre retirement gig that’s less stressful and less ageist than what I do (which is super ageist) instead of fully retiring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My co-worker retired at 55. She has always been single, no kids. The world traveler type. She bought a condo I assume relatively young, and had minimal bills. She is living an amazing life; I told her I want to be her when I grow up!

Me too!! But I'll be 56 when I retire and have kids in college (paid for). I'm already plotting my travels and daydreaming about it.

We are not all child brides, orthodox or amish like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My co-worker retired at 55. She has always been single, no kids. The world traveler type. She bought a condo I assume relatively young, and had minimal bills. She is living an amazing life; I told her I want to be her when I grow up!

Me too!! But I'll be 56 when I retire and have kids in college (paid for). I'm already plotting my travels and daydreaming about it.

We are not all child brides, orthodox or amish like you.

I do not understand this comment. For those who had kids in early-mid 30s - very typical - this timing would work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My co-worker retired at 55. She has always been single, no kids. The world traveler type. She bought a condo I assume relatively young, and had minimal bills. She is living an amazing life; I told her I want to be her when I grow up!

Me too!! But I'll be 56 when I retire and have kids in college (paid for). I'm already plotting my travels and daydreaming about it.

We are not all child brides, orthodox or amish like you.

I do not understand this comment. For those who had kids in early-mid 30s - very typical - this timing would work out.

That is a child bride unless you only have 1 or 2 kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My co-worker retired at 55. She has always been single, no kids. The world traveler type. She bought a condo I assume relatively young, and had minimal bills. She is living an amazing life; I told her I want to be her when I grow up!

Me too!! But I'll be 56 when I retire and have kids in college (paid for). I'm already plotting my travels and daydreaming about it.

We are not all child brides, orthodox or amish like you.

I do not understand this comment. For those who had kids in early-mid 30s - very typical - this timing would work out.

That is a child bride unless you only have 1 or 2 kids.

Well yes, 1-2 kids is not unusual. You are just being trollish.

[Anonymous]

Retired at 54. I didn’t expect to do this, but as a Fed, the perfect storm- Trump, Musk, DOGE, etc, made my decision to take an early retirement pretty easy. Sure, I am leaving money on the table - kind of, but no longer have a 45 mile commute each way and I have more time for family and doing things I enjoy. Also, I don’t have participate in Fed/corporate mumbo jumbo of endless meetings and pointless taskers that only exist to placate an ever growing team of middle manager bureaucrats.

How was I able to do it? I just did it. I have a small pension, healthcare from Fed retirement, spouse works and I like to think we somewhat live within our means. We enjoy our life, but stayed in our starter home and have a decent amount of savings.