Anonymous
01/27/2025 09:29
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
Anonymous wrote:Just retired at 56.
Two years severance.
Kids are launched. Not debt, working in their fields.
Owe <$35k on the house. < 4% mortgage. House is worth $900k.
$5,000,000 in the market between tax deferred, taxable, tax free etc.
One Pension of $75k.
One spouse working for now at about $100k, probably retire in two years.
Retiree healthcare is $5k per year.
Two SS at FRA will be $85k.
Had a sibling die and realized time is short.
I am sure you at some point in your life you took statistics 101 and they thought you about outliers. If you take a closer look at your assets, reading over the numbers very very slowly you will come to the realization that you are an outlier.
Anonymous
01/26/2025 23:26
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
Just retired at 56.
Two years severance.
Kids are launched. Not debt, working in their fields.
Owe <$35k on the house. < 4% mortgage. House is worth $900k.
$5,000,000 in the market between tax deferred, taxable, tax free etc.
One Pension of $75k.
One spouse working for now at about $100k, probably retire in two years.
Retiree healthcare is $5k per year.
Two SS at FRA will be $85k.
Had a sibling die and realized time is short.
Two years severance.
Kids are launched. Not debt, working in their fields.
Owe <$35k on the house. < 4% mortgage. House is worth $900k.
$5,000,000 in the market between tax deferred, taxable, tax free etc.
One Pension of $75k.
One spouse working for now at about $100k, probably retire in two years.
Retiree healthcare is $5k per year.
Two SS at FRA will be $85k.
Had a sibling die and realized time is short.
Anonymous
01/26/2025 23:03
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
I am 56 and am massively concerned about outliving my savings.
I have a job now that is pretty easy, and to be honest I probably put in about 20 hours of "real work" at most.
I am fully remote am not too stressed out about the work. I know that if I get canned for some reason, I can do consulting.
Given all that, I don't plan to retire anytime in the foreseeable future. I'd be stupid to cut off this cashflow. If I can do this for another 10 years, I'll be okay with it.
I have a job now that is pretty easy, and to be honest I probably put in about 20 hours of "real work" at most.
I am fully remote am not too stressed out about the work. I know that if I get canned for some reason, I can do consulting.
Given all that, I don't plan to retire anytime in the foreseeable future. I'd be stupid to cut off this cashflow. If I can do this for another 10 years, I'll be okay with it.
Anonymous
01/24/2025 09:59
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
Like so many others, I'm tired. I want to be able to sleep through the night without worrying about work (law partner). I want to take a vacation without worrying about work. I want weekends. And I'm not on top of my game anymore. I'm turning 50 this year and I'm just not as motivated or able to do the long hours. And because thankfully, financially, I can retire early. Hoping to do it at 55 as long as we can figure out health insurance.
Anonymous
01/24/2025 09:29
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
You know why?
Because nowadays we aren’t working for a better today or better tomorrow. We are working to grow the AI machine and private equity and billionaires. That is not going to make my life better nor that of my children. So why should I work any more than necessary to survive?
Because nowadays we aren’t working for a better today or better tomorrow. We are working to grow the AI machine and private equity and billionaires. That is not going to make my life better nor that of my children. So why should I work any more than necessary to survive?
Anonymous
01/23/2025 22:29
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
One of my friends said to me a major event for her was that her father died in his 50s of a heart attack. He didn't get to retire or enjoy time off at all. So enjoy it while you can.
Anonymous
01/21/2025 09:55
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
How is this even a question?!
Anonymous
01/21/2025 09:55
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
For my family, it's partially about Trump.
But also about the fact that my father worked until the day he died and his father before him did as well, and I don't want to go out like that and I also don't want my spouse to go out like that. We want to travel and hike and enjoy life.
My father also saved enough money that he left our family a trust fund such that we will be okay no matter what since we live simply. Also, we've saved a ton, and continue to do so while having a modest lifestyle, so we can afford to quit earlier.
The Protestant Work Ethic is a cult we've bought into as a nation, and it's a bum deal for the workers.
But also about the fact that my father worked until the day he died and his father before him did as well, and I don't want to go out like that and I also don't want my spouse to go out like that. We want to travel and hike and enjoy life.
My father also saved enough money that he left our family a trust fund such that we will be okay no matter what since we live simply. Also, we've saved a ton, and continue to do so while having a modest lifestyle, so we can afford to quit earlier.
The Protestant Work Ethic is a cult we've bought into as a nation, and it's a bum deal for the workers.
Anonymous
01/21/2025 09:51
Subject: Re:Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
Anonymous wrote:I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this. What others are saying here is so true. You don’t know how spry you’ll really be even at 65. I have friends in their 40s going for surgery on their joints, and they’re not obese with smoking and drinking habits. I have a few colleagues in their late 50s/early 60s who have terrific pensions (pension program cut years ago), 401ks worth close to a million probably based on their high salaries, no kids at home, and they most likely own their property. The work is very stressful and the people aren’t the easiest to deal with. One of them works every weekend. But for whatever reason, they won’t quit. They’ve been there for most of their lives, so maybe they’re just scared of life without the work? I’d love to get out of there if I were in their shoes.
So yeah, getting out by 55 would be terrific if the person retiring is careful, has savings/healthy 401k/pension, controls their spending and is willing and unable work party time. I think it’s possible for DH and I to bow out before 60 if we downsize which will hopefully be easy once the kids are out of the house. No reason to hang on to a five bedroom house if we have no use for all the extra space.
*is willing and able to work part time at something not very stressful to supplement
Anonymous
01/21/2025 09:49
Subject: Re:Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this. What others are saying here is so true. You don’t know how spry you’ll really be even at 65. I have friends in their 40s going for surgery on their joints, and they’re not obese with smoking and drinking habits. I have a few colleagues in their late 50s/early 60s who have terrific pensions (pension program cut years ago), 401ks worth close to a million probably based on their high salaries, no kids at home, and they most likely own their property. The work is very stressful and the people aren’t the easiest to deal with. One of them works every weekend. But for whatever reason, they won’t quit. They’ve been there for most of their lives, so maybe they’re just scared of life without the work? I’d love to get out of there if I were in their shoes.
So yeah, getting out by 55 would be terrific if the person retiring is careful, has savings/healthy 401k/pension, controls their spending and is willing and unable work party time. I think it’s possible for DH and I to bow out before 60 if we downsize which will hopefully be easy once the kids are out of the house. No reason to hang on to a five bedroom house if we have no use for all the extra space.
So yeah, getting out by 55 would be terrific if the person retiring is careful, has savings/healthy 401k/pension, controls their spending and is willing and unable work party time. I think it’s possible for DH and I to bow out before 60 if we downsize which will hopefully be easy once the kids are out of the house. No reason to hang on to a five bedroom house if we have no use for all the extra space.
Anonymous
01/21/2025 00:46
Subject: Bullshit Jobs- David Graeber
Most of our jobs are a joke. I stumbled on to a few old emails from work. Most of the people are no longer employed in my division. Most of the efforts are forgotten.
I really think we can't fake it anymore. At some point, work should feel meaningful and like we are making an impact. But sitting in an office doing something meaningless and irrelevant is no way to exist. Once the fundamental needs are met, why continue to perform a task that has no positive impact on the world.
I really think we can't fake it anymore. At some point, work should feel meaningful and like we are making an impact. But sitting in an office doing something meaningless and irrelevant is no way to exist. Once the fundamental needs are met, why continue to perform a task that has no positive impact on the world.
Anonymous
01/21/2025 00:43
Subject: 47 years old is the turning point!
Anonymous wrote:I've been at my fed job since I was 21. Now at 47, I'm ready to move on. I don't care for working with the younger generation and can't imagine the generations to come will be any better. Plus, it's their turn. The second I am eligible to move on, I shall.
I absolutely feel that the next generation needs to take the lead. They are smart and they are building the world for their future. I also think that most of us Gen Xers want to enjoy life while we have our looks, health, hair, money and mental stamina.
We've seen people miss out on exciting life opportunities because of work and with little reward or recognition.
Most importantly, I think automation has really freed up time. Many of our tasks at work are unimportant and meaningless.
Anonymous
01/21/2025 00:15
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
Because my jobs in my 20s and 30s were extremely demanding and employers often take advantage of workers.
I work for myself which is the best, and I can choose who I want to work with and when. I make so much more than I did before and I work less.
I will retire when I no longer enjoy the work as much and have enough saved to live in my dream destination full time.
I work for myself which is the best, and I can choose who I want to work with and when. I make so much more than I did before and I work less.
I will retire when I no longer enjoy the work as much and have enough saved to live in my dream destination full time.
Anonymous
01/20/2025 19:31
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
Because I don’t need anymore $$$$. Time to enjoy life!😀
Anonymous
01/20/2025 19:23
Subject: Why does it seem like everyone wants to retire early?
I follow bogleheads for 5+ yrs. Research is not that easy to know if you get the correct answer. It is not clear like 1+1=2. It is nice to hear answers from other people how to determine early retirement.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:How do you decide if you have enough money to early retire ? 30x to 50x of your spending money ( spending + tax + healthcare cost ) ?
It depends on your current age. The earlier you retire, the more you need to retire early.
30x is a good number if you want to retire around 55. Assuming you keep some funds invested in the stock market via an index fund or something, your portfolio will continue to grow even as you pull money from the investments. The funds should last you more than 30 years.
DH is 60 and I'm 54. We are counting on some social security, as well. Maybe not the full amount, but some. We also have about $4mil in investments and cash. Our expense, with some travel, is about $140K/year.
This is solid advice above. If you asked then I’d recommend a little more research than just asking on here. Bogleheads is good. Remember the expenses mentioned above are what you’ll spend minus your income streams like SS or and pensions.