SWR of 6.21% for 26 years

[Martha]

John, I know your circumstances and that they are different than mine, but I found your last post very comforting. Somehow I have this basic insecurity that we will "lose it all" and will be in no position to go back to work.

[unclemick]

Running out of retirement funds and having the health to enjoy it are the two emotional touchstones - probably for all retiree's. They are always in the background - I won't use JG's Al Pacino quote - but managing risk is part of life - easy to say - so each ER has to come to his/her own version.

[Eagle43]

I like JG's attitude. To philosophize, right attitude will trump bad circumstances most of the time and bad attitude can defeat good circumstances or at least keep you from enjoying your good fortune.

That said, one of the reasons I stayed at MegaCorp was to get that other pension; one of the reasons I stayed in military was to cover healthcare. I remember a friend of the family during the 50s lose everything to the doctor bills, and he was a hard-working individual. I am an exercise fanatic and although that's no guarantee, it doesn't hurt.

I've lost in the Index Funds this year, but can remain where I am because of the pensions, healthcare, and a good supply of cash. If all of that goes, then JG's attitude and maybe even his prescriptions are the way to go. And to paraphrase Martha, I'll go back to work if necessary. I worked for 43 years, so, if necessary another couple should be easy.