Poll: Early-Retirement.Org Member Demographics

[ShokWaveRider]

Reading a lot of posts there are many on this site who are in different stages of the early retirement model. You may wish to clarify your individual situation in a post, and perhaps state your age, when you ER'd etc., if you feel comfortable doing so.

Young Hopefuls planning their future ER, Those who are in ER, those who have ER'd but are now in conventional (Over 65, as a loose definition) retirement and those who did not ER but are in Conventional Retirement.

I thought it would be a good subject of a poll. As I will be 65 next year and would not classify myself in ER at that point, even though I am now. It is directed at individual registered members of ER.org who participate, not their partners. Although that could be a subject of another poll.

 

[candrew]

Although I answered "comfortably in ER", the fact that my retirement began two years ago at age 59 may not necessarily be defined and/or qualify as "early".

 

[exnavynuke]

Still a wannabee here. In about 6 years I should be able to join the ranks of those who are early retirees as I'll still be in my 40's, assuming there are no significant events to change that plan between now and then anyway.

 

[Mdlerth]

Younger than the mountains, maybe

Young Hopefuls planning their future ER

I'm 59.9 years old, so I don't believe that I would qualify as a "Young" hopeful. Of course, certainly I'm hopeful that I can clock out soon.

Likewise, ER is never far from my thoughts, but does that qualify as "planning"? At least once a day I look at a spreadsheet or calculator, even though things don't change that quickly.

Honestly, it's daydreaming, not progress. Either my retirement will work out or it won't, and running more numbers won't affect the outcome.

But sometimes those daydreams are the only things keeping me out of a straitjacket. So I'll dream them until the wondrous day of FIRE arrives. Peace out.

 

[38Chevy454]

I fit in the comfortably in ER category. Could not be happier with my position there.

 

[kcowan]

The third option is a bit confusing. I ERd with a golden handshake but went on to be an independent contractor for many years so I picked option 2. 15 years and counting...

 

[Dtail]

Although I answered "comfortably in ER", the fact that my retirement began two years ago at age 59 may not necessarily be defined and/or qualify as "early".

I retired at 57. I think one can say that any retirement before 65 yo is probably early retirement.

 

[HFWR]

Can’t do polls on the ipad, but retired for almost three years. Was 61 and four months, which was as early as I could muster...

 

[MichaelB]

Can’t do polls on the ipad, but retired for almost three years. Was 61 and four months, which was as early as I could muster...

Using the app or browser? I’m on my iPad and can see the poll option just fine.

 

[W2R]

Can’t do polls on the ipad, but retired for almost three years. Was 61 and four months, which was as early as I could muster...

Well, you were a month younger than me. I retired at 61 and five months plus a day. I have been retired ever since so I voted for option 3.

 

[Alan]

Retired and loving it since January 2010. (see my sig line for details)

 

[marko]

#3
ER'd at 53; not by choice, planned for 58. 66 now and comfortable, happy and glad it all played out as it did!

 

[Teacher Terry]

Retired at age 58 6 years ago. Work part time by choice because I love it.

 

[Midpack]

Confirms again one of my long standing suspicions. When newbies ask 'can I retire' or 'how do you like retirement' - according to the poll a majority of the respondents are early in their retirement adventure, 10-15 years or less in a retirement that could last 30-40 years? Isn't it far less likely any of us would be unhappy or headed for a radical change in withdrawals in the first 10-15 years. The end is the real test.

None of us will really know for sure how we like retirement, and any conclusions about the financial performance of our withdrawals rates & methods are mostly unknown in the first 10-15 years. It's only near the end that one can know if the financial plan has been a success. The responses are great and well intended, but just for some perspective.

And I assume those who retired at 65 or later, not early, shouldn't be voting - none of the options fit them, so the tally for answer #3 may be overstated? Not being critical, I've certainly started plenty of polls where the carefully considered options I offered weren't exactly as I intended.

 

[SumDay]

Retired August 30, 2018 @ 61. So far, we haven't consumed one can of cat food.

 

[HFWR]

Using the app or browser? I’m on my iPad and can see the poll option just fine.

App

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I really did not want, or think we needed more than 3 categories. The Comfortably in ER was meant to mean anyone self retired for whatever reason before 65. That by general definition was meant to be ER. Then the last, category was really anyone retired at 65 or over.

I suppose there could have been a 4th... being NOT Retired at all. But I cannot edit the poll to add it. I really thought that would fall into the Wannabe category. If one had no intention of retiring and was in the 65 category, one could argue why are they even on an ER site? Anyway just generalizing is OK. Polls sometimes can get too complicated and that certainly was not my intention. Just pick one that closely resembles your own situation and it will be all good.

 

[Dtail]

Confirms again one of my long standing suspicions. When newbies ask 'can I retire' or 'how do you like retirement' - according to the poll a majority of the respondents are early in their retirement adventure, 10-15 years or less in a retirement that could last 30-40 years? Isn't it far less likely any of us would be unhappy or headed for a radical change in withdrawals in the first 10-15 years. The end is the real test.

None of us will really know for sure how we like retirement, and any conclusions about the financial performance of our withdrawals rates & methods are mostly unknown in the first 10-15 years. It's only near the end that one can know if the financial plan has been a success. The responses are great and well intended, but just for some perspective.

And I assume those who retired at 65 or later, not early, shouldn't be voting - none of the options fit them, so the tally for answer #3 may be overstated? Not being critical, I've certainly started plenty of polls where the carefully considered options I offered weren't exactly as I intended.

Bolded - that is why it would be very beneficial to hear a long time member's experience in their 80's if unfortunately there have been financial issues.
Most likely though, one wouldn't broadcast that to our ER world, or has enough issues without posting about them.

 

[FIREd]

I quit working in 2010 (age 36) but I first started to depend solely on my portfolio to pay the bills in 2015 (age 41).

 

[imoldernu]

Age 82, retired at age 53 in 1989... now in 30th year of full happy retirement.

 

[Red Badger]

Retired August 30, 2018 @ 61. So far, we haven't consumed one can of cat food.

And why NOT??!!

Retired at 60 and 26 days. Only 16 months in, but it has been "Tony the Tiger" Grrrrreeeeaaaat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dtbach]

Retired at 58 in 2010 so not real early but I've enjoyed retirement fully the last 8 years.

 

[scrabbler1]

Retired at 45 ten years ago. I still get a thrill out of watching traffic and transit reports and know I don't heave to deal with that crap any more. (The commute was my #1 reason for retiring.)

 

[Spock]

none of the above.
ER was involuntary, thus not comfortable.

 

[Walt34]

I retired at 52, fell off the wagon for about five years and stumbled into a nearby low stress job, then when things went south there I quit. Now age 68, I picked option #3.