An increasing number of individuals are intrigued by the idea of early retirement. Media discussions about the prospect have sparked contemplation regarding the financial requirements to bid farewell to the workforce, prompting people to ponder how much money is needed and whether early retirement is a viable consideration.
But why consider early retirement in the first place? For many, work is a necessary evil—a means to an end. We work because we have to. Early retirement opens the door to a choice in how we spend our time, whether lounging on a beach with a margarita or pursuing a new job that adds meaning and fulfillment to life.
The dream of departing the workforce in one’s forties or fifties rather than persevering until the age of 65 is shared by many. However, the reality is that most of us continue working to maintain the lifestyle we’ve grown accustomed to. We cherish our iPhones, PlayStations, and Priuses, leading us to compromise on the notion of a fifty-year career.
Surprisingly, a considerable number of individuals have successfully achieved early retirement. The 2018 EBRI Retirement Confidence Survey revealed that 35% of retirees left the workforce before the age of 60. These achievers are not necessarily lottery winners, nor do they all hold high-paying positions. In essence, those who triumph in early retirement opt for a frugal lifestyle in their youth, setting the stage for financial freedom in their later years.
While early retirement is an admirable goal, achieving it can be challenging, with three primary obstacles standing in your way:
- Limited Time to Earn Money: If you start working at 20 and retire at 65, you have 45 years of income. However, if you retire at 45, you only have 25 years of income.
- Extended Dependence on Savings: With the average life expectancy nearing 80, retiring at 65 means your savings may need to sustain you for 10 to 20 years. If you retire at 45, you might need savings to support you for 30 to 40 years.
- Delayed Access to Traditional Retirement Benefits: Early retirees often face delayed access to social security or health insurance benefits. Withdrawing funds from retirement accounts before reaching the minimum age requirements also incurs penalties.
In essence, early retirees have less time to earn money, and that money must last a longer duration. Even with good health and financial prudence, this presents a significant challenge.
This isn’t to dissuade you from planning for early retirement—it’s a commendable goal and one encouraged here at Get Rich Slowly. However, if you truly aspire to achieve this, it requires diligence, planning, and a firm grasp of the numbers.
Let’s delve briefly into the fundamentals of early retirement and explore why it might be a pursuit worth considering.
Why Pursue Early Retirement?
Before delving into the numerical aspects, let’s engage in some philosophical reflection. Why do people contemplate early retirement in the first place?
The reasons are as diverse as individuals themselves, with answers as uniquely nuanced as personal circumstances. However, a few common themes emerge.
Reading financial independence forums on Reddit might lead you to believe that many individuals seek early retirement to escape certain aspects of their lives. They detest their jobs, their living situations, or their overall existence. Yes, many seek early retirement as a means to escape dissatisfaction.
However, individuals are likely to be more successful and happier if they pursue meaningful goals rather than attempting to flee from something undesirable. In the context of early retirement, this means being motivated by carrots rather than sticks.
Instead of aiming for financial independence to escape a miserable job, strive for it to attain something valuable. Here are some facets of early retirement that individuals find appealing:
- Enjoyment: Traditionally, people seek early retirement to savor life. They envision playing golf or tennis, buying a beachside villa, or engaging in activities they truly love. While enjoyment is undoubtedly a crucial aspect of early retirement, most successful early retirees discover that they want more from life.
- Freedom: Early retirement provides the freedom to pursue other passions. Travel, volunteer work, spending time with family, or discovering a vocation that aligns with personal interests becomes possible. Some argue that if you’re still working, you’re not truly retired. They’re mistaken. Early retirement embodies the freedom to choose, not the absence of work.
- Fulfillment: Many, myself included, choose early retirement to shift focus towards more meaningful pursuits. The definition of fulfillment varies for each person. For some, it’s witnessing their children grow up, while for others, it’s starting a business. Some find purpose in writing books, teaching courses, or embarking on cross-country hikes.
In essence, early retirement is not just about escaping undesirable circumstances but striving towards valuable goals. While financial independence can indeed encompass the pursuit of pleasure, freedom, and fulfillment, most successful early retirees discover that they desire more from life.
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