What is life like when you retire at 50 or 55?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not the central topic to this thread, but for those who retire early (and spouse does, too), what do you do about health insurance?

We buy private insurance and it is very expensive. I buy the most minimal, highest deductible and get anything planned done oconus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not the central topic to this thread, but for those who retire early (and spouse does, too), what do you do about health insurance?

We buy private insurance and it is very expensive. I buy the most minimal, highest deductible and get anything planned done oconus.

We have a carefirst (blue cross blue shield) ppo. For a family of four, it is about $2600 a month.

[Anonymous]

I retired at 40. Kids were still in school and so I was able to be in the SAHM role till they launched. I had saved enough money to devote myself to the life I wanted to live. I have time for my kids, my in-laws, parents, DH. I have the time to relax, pursue many of my hobbies, exercise, travel, eat well, take care of our finances, keep the house running smoothly, etc. My DH is still working (He is 50) and will continue working till he has to retire. He likes his job, it pays well, it is not overly stressful. We have been able to pay attention to our health because both of us are not in the rat race.

We primarily socialize with our friends during weekends and evenings. Some of the socializing also happens with DH's colleagues and professional connections. I am able to spend time with my friends and acquaintances during the week, and some of my time is also spent visiting with and doing simple tasks for my ILs and parents. I do not have one group of friends, but rather I have friends who are my neighbors, ex-work colleagues, folks who are in various hobby and volunteer groups with me, as well as a few moms of my children's friends who we still socialize with. Being in DC, we have many friends and relatives who come to stay with us and so I am not lacking company. We travel twice a year as a family and I find it that I can truly enjoy these travels because I am not stressed about returning to work to a huge backlog of stuff on my desk.

In short, life is wonderful because I am able to enjoy retirement with good health, financial means, time with friends and family, time for hobbies and volunteering and have enough happening around me to keep me happily occupied. If you do not have good health or the financial means then working or retiring - both are meaningless.