Class of 2019

[Gunny]

Reading posts from the recent class inductees is motivating. Although I will be class of '19, I have a good plan to hit the road in a RV with DW and son. I need to get to know them again after years of foreign service. No house, no debts, good pension and full bank accounts. It will be a true blessing.

 

[Downtown]

I've been contemplating Dec 31, 2019 as my official date to stop W-2 income and focus on the next stage of life. DW and I will both be 55 years old then and we should have plenty of $ socked away. It's exciting to start planning for a different set of priorities. 2148 days to go!

 

[Gunny]

Since posting my original comment I have reviewed my portfolio and made a few changes. Intended result? Move
up to class of 2018.

 

[ImThinkin2019]

By my forum name you'll know what I was thinking when I joined this group. Right now we're struggling to stay that long - thinking of dropping out and joining the class of 2017 or 2018. Wait a minute - does that make us dropouts or put us in the advanced class?
Like many here, I suppose I don't really care what you call me - I'm going when I want to anyway

 

[Aiming_4_55]

Targeting 2019 or so now....

Well, I've had some time to play and currently experimenting with career options. Currently, working harder than I want but enjoying the nicer weather.

Originally, before reading various forums, counting all the nickels, and reviewing expenses, I was just hopeful of targeting age 55.

Now, after a few years, I am targeting 2019, either age 49 or age 50 depending on time of year. I will be a landlord, somewhat, so it'll be semi-ER, but it'll give me alot of ME time with the family and myself.

5 years from now seems long, but better than 2024 which I was previously thinking.

 

[haloFIRE]

Congratulations on taking back 5 years of your life! Great news!

 

[Big_Hitter]

2019 is getting to be a firm target...


FMY syndrome...

 

[abbvie]

I will turn 55 on Dec 18 2018 but will stay until April of 2019 to exercise my company options and eligible for profit sharing. Sounds greedy but I just wanted to padded the stash a little more for safety sake. I can finally see the light at the end of tunnel now. I am trying to be happy and not think too far ahead but the wait is just agonizing.

 

[mbnj77]

I feel your "waiting" pain. 55 in September '19 and I refuse to work one day longer. Megacorp anniversary is July so maybe I can pull the trigger then when more bennies vest.

But wondering about the "rule of 55" come to think of it. Is it when you turn 55 or the calendar year in which you do to avoid the IRS penalty?

I have three different countdown apps on my iPhone. Think I'm obsessed?


Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum

 

[Quest4Fire]

2019 target. Transitioning to part time in a couple years more firm.

I am enjoying this board.

 

[abbvie]

I feel your "waiting" pain. 55 in September '19 and I refuse to work one day longer. Megacorp anniversary is July so maybe I can pull the trigger then when more bennies vest.

But wondering about the "rule of 55" come to think of it. Is it when you turn 55 or the calendar year in which you do to avoid the IRS penalty?

I have three different countdown apps on my iPhone. Think I'm obsessed?


Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum

Plan A for me is to live off my taxable assets/ dividends & make it to 59.5 where I can start tapping into my deferred 401 & IRAs. Company pension & SS at 65. I am not familiar with the 72T rule & want to learn more about it for Plan B. I believe it’s the calendar year that you turn 55 and volunteering separation from megacorp. I also hear that it’s a mine field so one needs to be well verse before apply the rule to avoid penalties. It’s been a long journey to get to this point and congrats to you. I thought of getting a countdown app but I don’t think I’ll get anything done in the office. Master plan right now is to lay low and bite my tongue at meetings and pretend that I gives a sh!#$.

 

[NWBuff]

My goal is 2019 after my daughter leaves for college. Once she's gone, there is no reason to be tied to a job. Feel pretty fortunate. Of course, if the economy tanks and stocks slide, then I would delay it for a while.

 

[wmackey]

Eligible in 2017, but the numbers say 2019. We'll see, if I can put some more away maybe things move up. Did pick up a second j*b, all of that goes to a taxable account.

 

[World Traveler]

I'm also in the 2019 class and plan on punching at 55 but like some of you I'm crunching the numbers to see if I can go early. Once you have FI it's nice to know you can pull the RE trigger at anytime.


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[Downtown]

As of next Monday, I have 1,000 hard-core work days remaining (assuming reasonable cooperation from the markets over time). Like others, I'm also shooting for a wonderful birthday gift in year #55. At that point I might semi-retire or fully retire, but haven't decided just yet. In the meantime, I still have some work-related ambitions to accomplish over the next 1,000 days!


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[gamboolman]

We are aiming toward 31-Dec-19 as the last day for me.
My wife is already retired.
I'll be 60 - so not that early but still looking forward to being free to spend time with my wife and family.
Only 4 years, 3 months and 26 days to go !

 

[bradsharp2]

Hello, All - I'm a happy new member. 2019 is IT. I'll be 60 and my wife 59. Not exactly EARLY retirement...but the best we can do. I've been a school teacher for many years and need to work a few more to bring the nest egg to where we think it needs to be. Do you have a place picked out to live? We'd love some advice. Thanks, Brad.

 

[gamboolman]

Just bumping the Class of 2019 thread.

About 3-1/2 years to go and look to be on plan. We are still planning on 31-Dec-19 as last day working for mega-corp.

I will admit that it is hard to not be impatient for the next chapter of life.

Can't wait !

 

[Aiming_4_55]

Just realized I'm just under 1,000 calendar days away from turning age 50. I admit I am wondering if I can go sooner, but then thinking about less stressful assignments.

Anyone thinking about what actions are needed, beyond just LBYM? I'm looking more at my expenses since we relocated a few years ago and kids are getting a little older, so activities are increasing. Asset Allocation and possible slow shift?

On the side, I do wonder if I should coast, but enjoying the higher earning years for the time being.

 

[gamboolman]

844 days until planned retirement date of 31-Dec-19

2 years, 3 months and 23 days

 

[Out of Steam]

Was Class of 2020, have pushed the date up to Fall 2019.

 

[tmitchell]

I'm in! I'll be 51 and am planning on giving up the F/T job by end of 2018. I enjoy working generally, but just don't want to be strapped to a boss anymore. Will probably take a gap year and start feeling out some fun ways to earn a little extra & be involved in things i love.

Just curious about everyone's path towards D-day. I recently moved my AA to 60/40. Did this for a couple reasons. One, the market is so high that a pullback just seems inevitable sooner rather than later. Second, I've worked really hard to build my nest egg and am trying to insure a bit against sequence return risk. In fact, I'm exploring Wade Pfau's idea to increase AA over time in ER and will likely put (what I expect to be much lower) future earnings into stocks.

Haven't settled yet on the plan, but curious to know what you all are up to in this regards.

Congrats to all!

 

[Downtown]

I'm in! I'll be 51 and am planning on giving up the F/T job by end of 2018. I enjoy working generally, but just don't want to be strapped to a boss anymore. Will probably take a gap year and start feeling out some fun ways to earn a little extra & be involved in things i love.



Just curious about everyone's path towards D-day. I recently moved my AA to 60/40. Did this for a couple reasons. One, the market is so high that a pullback just seems inevitable sooner rather than later. Second, I've worked really hard to build my nest egg and am trying to insure a bit against sequence return risk. In fact, I'm exploring Wade Pfau's idea to increase AA over time in ER and will likely put (what I expect to be much lower) future earnings into stocks.



Haven't settled yet on the plan, but curious to know what you all are up to in this regards.



Congrats to all!

Yep, we're at an AA of 60/40, too. 52 yrs old.

 

[tmitchell]

Yep, we're at an AA of 60/40, too. 52 yrs old.

Just out of curiosity, how do you reconcile a "conservative" 60/40 allocation with 30+ yrs to go based on the FIRE sentiments of "moving to 100% stocks" etc?

 

[gamboolman]

We are at 67/30 with 3% cash at age 58.

Planning to move toward's 60/40...ish over the next couple of years.

Still aiming to retire end of 2019.