Anonymous
01/20/2026 18:31
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
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.
Having kids at 30+ is no where near a child bride. Bizarre assertion.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 18:23
Subject: Re:if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
Anonymous wrote: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.
Yeah most early retirees start on 3rd base. No student debt? Grandparents who are retired and have resources to come belp. We spent $270k on childcare and send money to our family to help them.
Buying the inexpensive house zoned for bad schools and going magnet can be a good hack, but you have to have plan if dont gain entry. Was this Moco?
Agreed about starting on 3rd base. The 3rd base does not necessarily means wealth. DH and I, both had white collar college educated grandparents and parents. Wealth comes and goes, but, this sort of generational higher education and awareness meant that they could think ahead for our future.
I don't think the magnet schools in MCPS are much of a hack now, btw. For us, having an inexpensive house to keep our COL low was the key.
We were very careful with our money (cheap house, average old cars, no designed anything) and made sure that we could spend on high value things like education, ECs, travel, organic food, health and the overall wellbeing of the family unit (which translated in cleaners and law mowing companies). I think education helped us to become strategic about life.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 18:13
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
In life the turtle really does wins the race over the hare! Not a Fed but no coincidence why 95% of those retired or planning to retire early are Fed or some other govt workers. As others have also noted, earning less compensation results in balanced life and fiscal responsibility.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 16:14
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
No one is talking to you...why are you taking it personal?
A full time SHAM does not retired from a job, period.
And federal workers do they also not retire since not a real job?
Anonymous
01/20/2026 16:13
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
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.
lol if your wife worked for 15 years and has been staying home for 25 years, she must be at least 62. So kids looonnnnngggg gone from the house. And you're still drinking the koolaid that she "is" an active mom as a full time job? If you think being a 62 year old empty nester is the hardest job in the world, i have a bridge to sell you.
Kinda empty nestors since Fall of 2025 when youngest went to college and around same time second youngest moved out. So an empty nestor I guess since Fall of 2025. It was only three years ago I had three kids at home. I know a few child brides on this thread but kids generally dont move out till parents are around 67.
The house I live in was bought from a retiring couple. They had three kids. Youngest kid just gaduated Gergetown Law School and was moving to NYC. His wife who was SAHM was retiring with him and both were 65. My daughters friends who are doctors two of their kids are doing medical shool route. BTW the last one moves out they will be 70ish.
if I became single I might just start aging. Why downsize just refill the house up.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 16:12
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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
Exactly. Even just subsidized healthcare would be enough for us to retire earlier than 65.
Yeah, healthcare is the piece missing for lots of people which is another sucky thing about the American system.
That said, I think you see more feds in these threads because they are fine living below their means. I mean I thought my GS-15 salary was pretty good but I had 25 years of legal experience in a particular area that’s pretty consequential for the national economy and I was being paid less than a first year associate who couldn’t find their ass from a hole in the ground. But — with some exceptions— those law firm partners spend a lot more and are less comfortable psychologically giving up the paycheck.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 15:34
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
Anonymous wrote: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
Exactly. Even just subsidized healthcare would be enough for us to retire earlier than 65.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 15:21
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
Anonymous wrote: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.
No one is talking to you...why are you taking it personal?
A full time SHAM does not retired from a job, period.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 15:19
Subject: Re:if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
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.
Yeah most early retirees start on 3rd base. No student debt? Grandparents who are retired and have resources to come belp. We spent $270k on childcare and send money to our family to help them.
Buying the inexpensive house zoned for bad schools and going magnet can be a good hack, but you have to have plan if dont gain entry. Was this Moco?
Anonymous
01/20/2026 15:16
Subject: Re:if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
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.
In your case, you are a SHAM. I'd not consider you "retired." You quit working to raise kids and that's "okay" but you are certainly not retired from workforce. You quit!
Anonymous
01/20/2026 15:14
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
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.
lol if your wife worked for 15 years and has been staying home for 25 years, she must be at least 62. So kids looonnnnngggg gone from the house. And you're still drinking the koolaid that she "is" an active mom as a full time job? If you think being a 62 year old empty nester is the hardest job in the world, i have a bridge to sell you.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 15:07
Subject: Re:if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
Anonymous wrote: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.
Indian, right?
maybe....no mention of medical college..
Anonymous
01/20/2026 14:58
Subject: Re:if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
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.
Indian, right?
Anonymous
01/20/2026 14:50
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
Anonymous wrote: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.
The lady doth protest too much methinks.
Anonymous
01/20/2026 14:47
Subject: if you were able to retire early (55-62) how did you do it
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.
NP weird comment. I had my first at 29 and my second at 31 and I’ll have both kids in college when I’m 49. (One is already there and I’m 48.)