My husband and I retired last year - I was 57. I was eligible for retiree medical at age 55, but held off til our financial advisor said go for it. I’d been earning a paycheck since I was 16, and worked for the family business before that. We both get retiree medical until Medicare, unless the company we worked for yanks it away. If that happens, we’ll adjust spending.
I am so happy to no longer be working. The stress was going to kill me. We aren’t independently wealthy, so stopping in our 40s wasn’t an option, but more power to those who can. I wasn’t going to forego every joy in life to go out that early. This way, we get very inexpensive health insurance and the benefit of the extra years of years of service for the pension & the ability to max out the 401k accounts. A former co-worker just retired at 51 & she’s on the hook for her own medical until she’s 55.
I dare say we’ll be the last generation that has these options.
Because of a successful startup experience, I legitimately had the chance to retire in my early 30s, if I wanted to and if I had managed my investments wisely. I ended up doing neither at the time. 
I was next able to retire starting about six years ago, in my mid 40s. But I enjoy my work and don’t have a plan B figured out yet.
If you are comfortable with your life choices, why do you care what other people say/think? I can see caring (at least to a degree) with close friends/family. But anyone else? Who cares? Be judgmental, jealous or whatever else you want. My life. You can live you own and I don’t care. As long as what you are doing doesn’t impact me (and I don’t impact you), do what you want.
I agree @saillakeerie However, I do confess that I get judgmental when people do FIRE, retire early after having had every advantage in life, and then use social services meant for the poor and middle class (such as those FIRE people who live in rent-controlled apartments and send their kids to charter schools and pat themselves on the back about how clever they are). If someone’s FIRE retirement takes away services from someone who is trying to work their way up and out of poverty, then I do see that as wasteful of society’s resources.
Wait, aren’t rent control and charter schools available to everyone? I didn’t know there was a means test.
The concept of rent control is pretty much foreign to me. I understand it exists. But not an issue anywhere near where I am. And charter schools around here aren’t something desirable (at least not if you have another options – and there are a lot of good public schools around). But I can see where those resources being used by parties not intended for them to the detriment of other intended beneficiaries could be problematic.
I fully agree that folks can do what fits them and shouldn’t have to fit into anyone else’s mold - except for those who “retire” early just to use tax supported benefits without true need for them.
FIL turns 91 in less than a month. Late last year he told H that his one greatest regret in life was retiring. He felt his health went downhill as soon as he retired. He told them all he knows who retired have already passed away.
He still gets out doing things of all sorts. Last weekend he was helping H and BIL replace the roof on his boathouse. He’s also been doing and/or overseeing some construction work for friends, hunting, and fishing. He rarely just sits around. He credits that to his long life. Who knows? He’s had heart issues for the past 30 years, so isn’t without problems, but nonetheless is still around and very active for his age.
I suspect it’s activity more than a specific job TBH. I’ve heard from plenty that as soon as one settles into the rocking chair they don’t stay around long. One of my own grandfathers fit that to a T - dying within 6 months of his “early” retirement in his young 60s.
“I fully agree that folks can do what fits them and shouldn’t have to fit into anyone else’s mold - except for those who “retire” early just to use tax supported benefits without true need for them.”
“I do confess that I get judgmental when people do FIRE, retire early after having had every advantage in life, and then use social services meant for the poor and middle class”
I can understand that somewhat but do you have the same animosity towards those families where only one parent chooses to work?
A bit off topic but I would love to audit some discussion based college classes (or maybe teach) at really fine schools to see what these kids are learning. That would be fascinating.
@doschicos I have no animosity toward stay at home parents IN GENERAL, and do have lots of SAHM friends. However, I do confess to a little animosity toward the handful of families that I know who get financial aid at our K-12 school, where the mom has an advanced degree she’s not using because she chose not to work. Her student loans get factored into the financial aid formula, and a small salary is imputed to her, but it’s nothing close to what she would actually make if she worked. That doesn’t seem right to me. (There are no disabled kids or special situations–I’m talking about ladies who lunch here.) I think we could use that financial aid to attract a more socio-economically and ethnically diverse group of students. It doesn’t help that those handful of moms are some of the worst in terms of the holier than thou attitude, too. You know, the kind who say things like “Well, I don’t understand why you want to have children if you didn’t plan to raise them.” I guess I just think you shouldn’t accept things like financial aid for luxury-level schools if you COULD reasonably earn some of that money and just choose not to.
Are they using tax dollars to support them with things like food stamps or controlled rent, yet are able bodied and able to work without day care costing more than the second paycheck? Probably.
Any suggestions of paying jobs for retirees that can be temporary (2-3 months duration)? Full time or part-time works, just limited in length for the flexibility to travel extended periods. Family and friends all live too far! I retired at age 62, and not really interested in continuing in the same field. I worked part time nearly my entire career (family choice for child-raising), and volunteered extensively during that time. Loved my volunteer work, but perhaps selfishly feel I’ve done plenty of volunteering at the expense of a lower paycheck, and limited career growth. I can easily fill free time, but would also love to make a little fun money, and feel like I’m still contributing.
I can think of lots of seasonal opportunities - retailers and shipping companies often bring on extra workers during the November and December shopping rush; tax preparation in February, March, and April; lots of service industry jobs in summer resort areas for June, July, August…
I agree that people should do what is best for them and their families without worrying about other people. That said, at least in the articles I’ve read, most of the early retirement people retired from very high paying jobs. Not everyone has a super high paying job. That said, different strokes for different follks…I’d be so bored if I retired in my 30’s. Plus, I’d feel like I’d wasted my college degree, but again, that’s just me.
I have nothing against stay at home moms.
I was planning to retire “early” at 55-60, but then life through me a lemon in the form of a health issue at age 49. I didn’t qualify for disability, but my doctors felt continuing to work was clearly impeding my health. Fortunately I was able to retire with full benefits, including retiree medical, at age 50. Best decision I ever made. My health is way better since I am able to focus on the rest, exercise, etc I need to control my condition. And, for me, volunteering allows me to both feel fulfilled and give back, and to avoid over-committing. The biggest challenge has been managing cash flow to minimize accessing retirement funds until that can be done without penalty.