Anonymous
05/12/2026 22:11
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What will you do about healthcare?Anonymous wrote:I’m in my early 50s, a recent empty nester w kids in college, and have worked at my large local private company for the past 15+ years. In my mind I will stay here until I retire, unless of course it is out of my control.
My job is one where, if you had to have a job it’s not bad, but I’ve moved up and done a lot of this stuff before. I’m so over the politics and corporate shenanigans.
Spouse is mid 50s and works for a local non profit and makes 125k. I make around $220k, with bonus, not including stock.
I had planned to retire in my late 50s, no later than 60. Retirement savings is $2.5m, kids college is mostly paid for in $529. Of course it would be higher if we continued to work.
I’ve started to reallly really hate my job and am obsessively doing retirement calculators and wondering if I can retire in 2 years or less.
Anyone else in the same boat? Should I see a retirement planner or something? I want together off this highway to hell….
If one of us is working, go on spouse’s healthcare
If both of us retire, budget for it and pay in the private market ~around $30-40k / for the 2 of us.
So when all insurers drop ACA?
Whatever happens, we will have to budget for it.
Ohhh. You are in your 40s. You don’t remember the individual market before ACA. $1M lifetime caps. Denied coverage for pre existing conditions. Insanely high premiums and deductible for older people. No prescription coverage. Being part of a group plan is crucial into your 50s and 60s (Medicare doesn’t start till 65).
No. I am in my 50s. I remember pre ACA. Still means, we will have to budget for it.
How do you budget for something that caps at $1M or denies pre existing? You would need $2-3M to self insure.
Anonymous
05/12/2026 21:32
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What will you do about healthcare?Anonymous wrote:I’m in my early 50s, a recent empty nester w kids in college, and have worked at my large local private company for the past 15+ years. In my mind I will stay here until I retire, unless of course it is out of my control.
My job is one where, if you had to have a job it’s not bad, but I’ve moved up and done a lot of this stuff before. I’m so over the politics and corporate shenanigans.
Spouse is mid 50s and works for a local non profit and makes 125k. I make around $220k, with bonus, not including stock.
I had planned to retire in my late 50s, no later than 60. Retirement savings is $2.5m, kids college is mostly paid for in $529. Of course it would be higher if we continued to work.
I’ve started to reallly really hate my job and am obsessively doing retirement calculators and wondering if I can retire in 2 years or less.
Anyone else in the same boat? Should I see a retirement planner or something? I want together off this highway to hell….
If one of us is working, go on spouse’s healthcare
If both of us retire, budget for it and pay in the private market ~around $30-40k / for the 2 of us.
So when all insurers drop ACA?
Whatever happens, we will have to budget for it.
Ohhh. You are in your 40s. You don’t remember the individual market before ACA. $1M lifetime caps. Denied coverage for pre existing conditions. Insanely high premiums and deductible for older people. No prescription coverage. Being part of a group plan is crucial into your 50s and 60s (Medicare doesn’t start till 65).
No. I am in my 50s. I remember pre ACA. Still means, we will have to budget for it.
Anonymous
05/12/2026 15:55
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What will you do about healthcare?Anonymous wrote:I’m in my early 50s, a recent empty nester w kids in college, and have worked at my large local private company for the past 15+ years. In my mind I will stay here until I retire, unless of course it is out of my control.
My job is one where, if you had to have a job it’s not bad, but I’ve moved up and done a lot of this stuff before. I’m so over the politics and corporate shenanigans.
Spouse is mid 50s and works for a local non profit and makes 125k. I make around $220k, with bonus, not including stock.
I had planned to retire in my late 50s, no later than 60. Retirement savings is $2.5m, kids college is mostly paid for in $529. Of course it would be higher if we continued to work.
I’ve started to reallly really hate my job and am obsessively doing retirement calculators and wondering if I can retire in 2 years or less.
Anyone else in the same boat? Should I see a retirement planner or something? I want together off this highway to hell….
If one of us is working, go on spouse’s healthcare
If both of us retire, budget for it and pay in the private market ~around $30-40k / for the 2 of us.
So when all insurers drop ACA?
Whatever happens, we will have to budget for it.
Ohhh. You are in your 40s. You don’t remember the individual market before ACA. $1M lifetime caps. Denied coverage for pre existing conditions. Insanely high premiums and deductible for older people. No prescription coverage. Being part of a group plan is crucial into your 50s and 60s (Medicare doesn’t start till 65).
Anonymous
05/12/2026 14:36
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What will you do about healthcare?Anonymous wrote:I’m in my early 50s, a recent empty nester w kids in college, and have worked at my large local private company for the past 15+ years. In my mind I will stay here until I retire, unless of course it is out of my control.
My job is one where, if you had to have a job it’s not bad, but I’ve moved up and done a lot of this stuff before. I’m so over the politics and corporate shenanigans.
Spouse is mid 50s and works for a local non profit and makes 125k. I make around $220k, with bonus, not including stock.
I had planned to retire in my late 50s, no later than 60. Retirement savings is $2.5m, kids college is mostly paid for in $529. Of course it would be higher if we continued to work.
I’ve started to reallly really hate my job and am obsessively doing retirement calculators and wondering if I can retire in 2 years or less.
Anyone else in the same boat? Should I see a retirement planner or something? I want together off this highway to hell….
If one of us is working, go on spouse’s healthcare
If both of us retire, budget for it and pay in the private market ~around $30-40k / for the 2 of us.
So when all insurers drop ACA?
Whatever happens, we will have to budget for it.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 18:16
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What will you do about healthcare?Anonymous wrote:I’m in my early 50s, a recent empty nester w kids in college, and have worked at my large local private company for the past 15+ years. In my mind I will stay here until I retire, unless of course it is out of my control.
My job is one where, if you had to have a job it’s not bad, but I’ve moved up and done a lot of this stuff before. I’m so over the politics and corporate shenanigans.
Spouse is mid 50s and works for a local non profit and makes 125k. I make around $220k, with bonus, not including stock.
I had planned to retire in my late 50s, no later than 60. Retirement savings is $2.5m, kids college is mostly paid for in $529. Of course it would be higher if we continued to work.
I’ve started to reallly really hate my job and am obsessively doing retirement calculators and wondering if I can retire in 2 years or less.
Anyone else in the same boat? Should I see a retirement planner or something? I want together off this highway to hell….
If one of us is working, go on spouse’s healthcare
If both of us retire, budget for it and pay in the private market ~around $30-40k / for the 2 of us.
So when all insurers drop ACA?
Anonymous
05/11/2026 17:06
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:What will you do about healthcare?Anonymous wrote:I’m in my early 50s, a recent empty nester w kids in college, and have worked at my large local private company for the past 15+ years. In my mind I will stay here until I retire, unless of course it is out of my control.
My job is one where, if you had to have a job it’s not bad, but I’ve moved up and done a lot of this stuff before. I’m so over the politics and corporate shenanigans.
Spouse is mid 50s and works for a local non profit and makes 125k. I make around $220k, with bonus, not including stock.
I had planned to retire in my late 50s, no later than 60. Retirement savings is $2.5m, kids college is mostly paid for in $529. Of course it would be higher if we continued to work.
I’ve started to reallly really hate my job and am obsessively doing retirement calculators and wondering if I can retire in 2 years or less.
Anyone else in the same boat? Should I see a retirement planner or something? I want together off this highway to hell….
If one of us is working, go on spouse’s healthcare
If both of us retire, budget for it and pay in the private market ~around $30-40k / for the 2 of us.
Anonymous
05/11/2026 14:37
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
What will you do about healthcare?Anonymous wrote:I’m in my early 50s, a recent empty nester w kids in college, and have worked at my large local private company for the past 15+ years. In my mind I will stay here until I retire, unless of course it is out of my control.
My job is one where, if you had to have a job it’s not bad, but I’ve moved up and done a lot of this stuff before. I’m so over the politics and corporate shenanigans.
Spouse is mid 50s and works for a local non profit and makes 125k. I make around $220k, with bonus, not including stock.
I had planned to retire in my late 50s, no later than 60. Retirement savings is $2.5m, kids college is mostly paid for in $529. Of course it would be higher if we continued to work.
I’ve started to reallly really hate my job and am obsessively doing retirement calculators and wondering if I can retire in 2 years or less.
Anyone else in the same boat? Should I see a retirement planner or something? I want together off this highway to hell….
Anonymous
05/10/2026 21:32
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:I’m in my early 50s, a recent empty nester w kids in college, and have worked at my large local private company for the past 15+ years. In my mind I will stay here until I retire, unless of course it is out of my control.
My job is one where, if you had to have a job it’s not bad, but I’ve moved up and done a lot of this stuff before. I’m so over the politics and corporate shenanigans.
Spouse is mid 50s and works for a local non profit and makes 125k. I make around $220k, with bonus, not including stock.
I had planned to retire in my late 50s, no later than 60. Retirement savings is $2.5m, kids college is mostly paid for in $529. Of course it would be higher if we continued to work.
I’ve started to reallly really hate my job and am obsessively doing retirement calculators and wondering if I can retire in 2 years or less.
Anyone else in the same boat? Should I see a retirement planner or something? I want together off this highway to hell….
I'm in my late 40s and in a similar mindset, though I have a longer runway with the kids. I have another 8.5 years to go.
Life is short and your good years are shorter. Why grind them out at a job you don't like if you don't have to? Yes, see a planner and get an independent evaluation. Don't be rash, but don't waste your time either.
Anonymous
05/10/2026 16:57
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:We just priced health insurance for my 55 year old husband and three kids (one in college two in high school) because he is looking at a 1099 position. (I am covered through my employer but we would have to pay for family coverage for them). It would be $2400 a month for a plan comparable to what he gets through his current employer. And it'll continue to go up.
That is not terrible. I am planning to retire in 4 years at 56 and budgeting $44k/yr for spouse and me.
Anonymous
05/10/2026 16:41
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You could do a budget. 4 percent of 2.5 million is 100K that you can use without eating your principal amount. You'll have a penalty on IRA withdrawls though. And have to consider whether you have a mortgage and what your expenses are.
that is NOT what 4% rule means
Different poster and that is exactly the 4% rule.
NP and it means you likely wont outlive your money, not that you wont touch the principal. Also, the 4% rule is based on 30 years, OP may live longer than that.
Anonymous
05/10/2026 15:58
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
Retire and do consulting or something that gives you purpose.
Before making a move, highly recommend meeting with a life coach or similar. I was in my 30s when I had the same crisis, so different because I needed to keep working. I worked with Rajika to get back on track and never looked backed!
https://rajikamahan.com/
Before making a move, highly recommend meeting with a life coach or similar. I was in my 30s when I had the same crisis, so different because I needed to keep working. I worked with Rajika to get back on track and never looked backed!
https://rajikamahan.com/
Anonymous
05/10/2026 15:42
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
I retired early and took advantage of the options a previous poster identified for taking money out of retirement accounts before turning 59 1/2 without penalty. They work.
Nobody knows your complete situation. But if college is covered and you don't have an overwhelming mortgage just bite the bullet and do it. Frankly, you don't make so much money that continuing to do it even if you hate it is worth it--your retirement nest egg won't go up all that much in just a couple years.
Life is short and you're better off than most. Just be careful with your spending for a couple years and you'll be fine. I assume you can be added to your spouse's health insurance?
Nobody knows your complete situation. But if college is covered and you don't have an overwhelming mortgage just bite the bullet and do it. Frankly, you don't make so much money that continuing to do it even if you hate it is worth it--your retirement nest egg won't go up all that much in just a couple years.
Life is short and you're better off than most. Just be careful with your spending for a couple years and you'll be fine. I assume you can be added to your spouse's health insurance?
Anonymous
05/10/2026 15:29
Subject: Not sure I’m gonna make it another 5 years…
We just priced health insurance for my 55 year old husband and three kids (one in college two in high school) because he is looking at a 1099 position. (I am covered through my employer but we would have to pay for family coverage for them). It would be $2400 a month for a plan comparable to what he gets through his current employer. And it'll continue to go up.