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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

you are a SAHM not retired.

I don’t work.

I am not seeking work.

I have a pension.

How is this not retired?

In a similar boat here—Fed who took early retirement recently at 56 and have no plans to work again, one kid still at home. Not sure why the SAHM vs fully-retired distinction is important to anyone.

I felt comfortable retiring because:
Older kids are done with college and plenty in 529s for college for teen or grad school for older kids.
Paid off house.
Plenty of savings, plus small pension and Fed health insurance.
DH will work for another few years.
We are not big spenders, though look forward to fun travel once DH retires and youngest is no longer at home.

A SAHM lives off husband's income... that's not "retiring from work".

No, sorry, this is not how retirement is defined.

“Early retirement “ enabled by another wage earner paying your bills is SAH.

[Anonymous]

"pensions and subsidized healthcare".... seems to be the common dominator with most of the posts...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

you are a SAHM not retired.

I don’t work.

I am not seeking work.

I have a pension.

How is this not retired?

In a similar boat here—Fed who took early retirement recently at 56 and have no plans to work again, one kid still at home. Not sure why the SAHM vs fully-retired distinction is important to anyone.

I felt comfortable retiring because:
Older kids are done with college and plenty in 529s for college for teen or grad school for older kids.
Paid off house.
Plenty of savings, plus small pension and Fed health insurance.
DH will work for another few years.
We are not big spenders, though look forward to fun travel once DH retires and youngest is no longer at home.

A SAHM lives off husband's income... that's not "retiring from work".

That’s a weird way to look at it. I retired from work with a pension, affordable health insurance that covers DH and our 3 children, more than $2.5 million in my TSP plus non-Federal IRA, and significant brokerage funds that I’ve contributed to through the years along with DH. We’ve reallocated how we pay for some of our bills, but I’m still contributing to our net worth in retirement.

Not sure that it’s relevant that we still have a child at home either. Seems like you just want to use “SAHM” as an insult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

you are a SAHM not retired.

I don’t work.

I am not seeking work.

I have a pension.

How is this not retired?

In a similar boat here—Fed who took early retirement recently at 56 and have no plans to work again, one kid still at home. Not sure why the SAHM vs fully-retired distinction is important to anyone.

I felt comfortable retiring because:
Older kids are done with college and plenty in 529s for college for teen or grad school for older kids.
Paid off house.
Plenty of savings, plus small pension and Fed health insurance.
DH will work for another few years.
We are not big spenders, though look forward to fun travel once DH retires and youngest is no longer at home.

A SAHM lives off husband's income... that's not "retiring from work".

That’s a weird way to look at it. I retired from work with a pension, affordable health insurance that covers DH and our 3 children, more than $2.5 million in my TSP plus non-Federal IRA, and significant brokerage funds that I’ve contributed to through the years along with DH. We’ve reallocated how we pay for some of our bills, but I’m still contributing to our net worth in retirement.

Not sure that it’s relevant that we still have a child at home either. Seems like you just want to use “SAHM” as an insult.

…or they’re jealous that they still have to work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"pensions and subsidized healthcare".... seems to be the common dominator with most of the posts...

Yup....the value of a Fed pension PLUS the healthcare. I make a decent living but with the present uncertainty, wish I had either a pension or healthcare which would allow more options. I gotta keep grinding until 65 or 67

[Anonymous]

I "retired" at 40. I had worked for 15 years before that. DH is still working at 58.

- Started married life debt free. No college debt.
- We did not pay for anything in our wedding. Parents paid for everything.
- We were in STEM fields that paid us a decent amount.
- Parents did not depend on us financially in retirement.

- Bought our new SFH in an inexpensive neighborhood.
- 2 kids only. Only had 3 yrs each of childcare cost for them. We had grandparents helping out for childcare.
- Kids went to magnet public schools for free.
- Kids got merit tuition in college. We paid minimal amount for room and board only.

There were other financial and life decisions we made, and also lots of luck...that made it possible for me to retire early. My DH can retire now if he wants, but he is still working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

you are a SAHM not retired.

I don’t work.

I am not seeking work.

I have a pension.

How is this not retired?

In a similar boat here—Fed who took early retirement recently at 56 and have no plans to work again, one kid still at home. Not sure why the SAHM vs fully-retired distinction is important to anyone.

I felt comfortable retiring because:
Older kids are done with college and plenty in 529s for college for teen or grad school for older kids.
Paid off house.
Plenty of savings, plus small pension and Fed health insurance.
DH will work for another few years.
We are not big spenders, though look forward to fun travel once DH retires and youngest is no longer at home.

A SAHM lives off husband's income... that's not "retiring from work".

That’s a weird way to look at it. I retired from work with a pension, affordable health insurance that covers DH and our 3 children, more than $2.5 million in my TSP plus non-Federal IRA, and significant brokerage funds that I’ve contributed to through the years along with DH. We’ve reallocated how we pay for some of our bills, but I’m still contributing to our net worth in retirement.

Not sure that it’s relevant that we still have a child at home either. Seems like you just want to use “SAHM” as an insult.

My wife is a SAHM for 25 years now. She is not retired. She is a Homemaker and Mom a full time job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

you are a SAHM not retired.

I don’t work.

I am not seeking work.

I have a pension.

How is this not retired?

In a similar boat here—Fed who took early retirement recently at 56 and have no plans to work again, one kid still at home. Not sure why the SAHM vs fully-retired distinction is important to anyone.

I felt comfortable retiring because:
Older kids are done with college and plenty in 529s for college for teen or grad school for older kids.
Paid off house.
Plenty of savings, plus small pension and Fed health insurance.
DH will work for another few years.
We are not big spenders, though look forward to fun travel once DH retires and youngest is no longer at home.

A SAHM lives off husband's income... that's not "retiring from work".

That’s a weird way to look at it. I retired from work with a pension, affordable health insurance that covers DH and our 3 children, more than $2.5 million in my TSP plus non-Federal IRA, and significant brokerage funds that I’ve contributed to through the years along with DH. We’ve reallocated how we pay for some of our bills, but I’m still contributing to our net worth in retirement.

Not sure that it’s relevant that we still have a child at home either. Seems like you just want to use “SAHM” as an insult.

…or they’re jealous that they still have to work?

That would explain the fixation! My DH certainly refers to me as a retiree, and is looking forward to joining me in retirement in a couple years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

you are a SAHM not retired.

I don’t work.

I am not seeking work.

I have a pension.

How is this not retired?

In a similar boat here—Fed who took early retirement recently at 56 and have no plans to work again, one kid still at home. Not sure why the SAHM vs fully-retired distinction is important to anyone.

I felt comfortable retiring because:
Older kids are done with college and plenty in 529s for college for teen or grad school for older kids.
Paid off house.
Plenty of savings, plus small pension and Fed health insurance.
DH will work for another few years.
We are not big spenders, though look forward to fun travel once DH retires and youngest is no longer at home.

A SAHM lives off husband's income... that's not "retiring from work".

That’s a weird way to look at it. I retired from work with a pension, affordable health insurance that covers DH and our 3 children, more than $2.5 million in my TSP plus non-Federal IRA, and significant brokerage funds that I’ve contributed to through the years along with DH. We’ve reallocated how we pay for some of our bills, but I’m still contributing to our net worth in retirement.

Not sure that it’s relevant that we still have a child at home either. Seems like you just want to use “SAHM” as an insult.

My wife is a SAHM for 25 years now. She is not retired. She is a Homemaker and Mom a full time job.

She’s not retired because she didn’t have a job.

[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.

wtf? LOL I had my kids at 35 and 38, got married at 33. We traveled a lot before kids came. Also, I worked in the tech industry. LOL

That is a child bride. 33 years old today is someone born 1993. I dont think people born 1993 are old enough to to be real adults yet. Heck they were one year old when the OJ chase happened in the Ford Bronco they should not be having kids that is for sure they still are kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

you are a SAHM not retired.

I don’t work.

I am not seeking work.

I have a pension.

How is this not retired?

In a similar boat here—Fed who took early retirement recently at 56 and have no plans to work again, one kid still at home. Not sure why the SAHM vs fully-retired distinction is important to anyone.

I felt comfortable retiring because:
Older kids are done with college and plenty in 529s for college for teen or grad school for older kids.
Paid off house.
Plenty of savings, plus small pension and Fed health insurance.
DH will work for another few years.
We are not big spenders, though look forward to fun travel once DH retires and youngest is no longer at home.

A SAHM lives off husband's income... that's not "retiring from work".

That’s a weird way to look at it. I retired from work with a pension, affordable health insurance that covers DH and our 3 children, more than $2.5 million in my TSP plus non-Federal IRA, and significant brokerage funds that I’ve contributed to through the years along with DH. We’ve reallocated how we pay for some of our bills, but I’m still contributing to our net worth in retirement.

Not sure that it’s relevant that we still have a child at home either. Seems like you just want to use “SAHM” as an insult.

My wife is a SAHM for 25 years now. She is not retired. She is a Homemaker and Mom a full time job.

She’s not retired because she didn’t have a job.

She actually worked full time 15 years on Wall Street and has a 7 figure 401k. But she is not retired as she is a Homemaker and Mom. The hardest job in the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I "retired" at 40. I had worked for 15 years before that. DH is still working at 58.

- Started married life debt free. No college debt.
- We did not pay for anything in our wedding. Parents paid for everything.
- We were in STEM fields that paid us a decent amount.
- Parents did not depend on us financially in retirement.

- Bought our new SFH in an inexpensive neighborhood.
- 2 kids only. Only had 3 yrs each of childcare cost for them. We had grandparents helping out for childcare.
- Kids went to magnet public schools for free.
- Kids got merit tuition in college. We paid minimal amount for room and board only.

There were other financial and life decisions we made, and also lots of luck...that made it possible for me to retire early. My DH can retire now if he wants, but he is still working.

You are unemployed not retired. My older brother for instance was forced out the door of his big executive job at 60. IHis wife threw a "retirement" party when he was 60. I found out online and he looked miserable as it was all a Farce. I guess I was not invited as he knew it was a joke. Yea he can afford to retire. I knew at 60 he had ten million saved in retirement accounts alone, few million in bank and a paid off home. But he did not retire. He got walked out the door, his job given to someone 25 years younger and after nine months of job hunting gave up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

you are a SAHM not retired.

I don’t work.

I am not seeking work.

I have a pension.

How is this not retired?

In a similar boat here—Fed who took early retirement recently at 56 and have no plans to work again, one kid still at home. Not sure why the SAHM vs fully-retired distinction is important to anyone.

I felt comfortable retiring because:
Older kids are done with college and plenty in 529s for college for teen or grad school for older kids.
Paid off house.
Plenty of savings, plus small pension and Fed health insurance.
DH will work for another few years.
We are not big spenders, though look forward to fun travel once DH retires and youngest is no longer at home.

A SAHM lives off husband's income... that's not "retiring from work".

That’s a weird way to look at it. I retired from work with a pension, affordable health insurance that covers DH and our 3 children, more than $2.5 million in my TSP plus non-Federal IRA, and significant brokerage funds that I’ve contributed to through the years along with DH. We’ve reallocated how we pay for some of our bills, but I’m still contributing to our net worth in retirement.

Not sure that it’s relevant that we still have a child at home either. Seems like you just want to use “SAHM” as an insult.

To be fair, your case is not what that PP was referring to. Other than bragging, you didn't add anything b/c it's not relevant

[Anonymous]

I inherited a lot of money from my parents in my 50’s and retired.

[Anonymous]

PP, your brother retired! WTH?