Hi board, been a lurker for a few months now but I figured I'd go ahead and introduce myself. I am currently single, 27 and living and working in Northern VA. My full time work life began a couple of months after graduating high school when I joined the USAF and was on active duty for four years. I then went into the Air National Guard and have a total of just over nine years service between the guard and active duty. I plan on doing at least 20 so I'll collect a small pension at 60 (actually a little before 60 due to the changes to the rules for how deployment time counts). I have a good paying job with mega corp which includes a low ER 401k (most of the index funds are around 10 to 15 basis points). My goal is to be retired by 55 and through maxing out my Roth 401k and Roth IRA I feel that is attainable. Currently have about 54k between the Roth IRA, Roth 401k and TSP.
I'm strongly considering employment with the FAA as an air traffic controller, which is the job that I currently do in the Air Guard. This would greatly improve my early retirement outlook as air traffic has a mandatory retirement age of 56 and a good pension (as far as FERS goes). I have to be hired before my 31st birthday so that still gives me a little over 3 years to decide. Financially, the FAA is a better choice since at the higher level facilities I would have a higher income than now as well as an early retirement pension. Of course, my job right now pays well (a little over 80k)and is substantially less stressful than a busy air traffic facility. Could possibly have better health at 55 if I stay where I am
I've been able to learn a great deal about early retirement and personal finance through this site and bogleheads.org, so thanks for all the info.
I'm strongly considering employment with the FAA as an air traffic controller, which is the job that I currently do in the Air Guard. This would greatly improve my early retirement outlook as air traffic has a mandatory retirement age of 56 and a good pension (as far as FERS goes). I have to be hired before my 31st birthday so that still gives me a little over 3 years to decide. Financially, the FAA is a better choice since at the higher level facilities I would have a higher income than now as well as an early retirement pension. Of course, my job right now pays well (a little over 80k)and is substantially less stressful than a busy air traffic facility. Could possibly have better health at 55 if I stay where I am
I've been able to learn a great deal about early retirement and personal finance through this site and bogleheads.org, so thanks for all the info.