Agreed. I restrained from making similar comment.
IMO, quitting a job to save on expense only makes sense if the job doesn't pay much to begin with.
I think it depends on your individual circumstances and tax situation. Here is one way to not work at a W2 job and break even financially. Assume the ACA subsidies and an HSA plan equal your last employer health care subsidies so health care expenses are a wash.
1. Lower your housing expenses by moving to a lower cost resort or beach area: 20%
2. No more job and commute costs: 10%
3. Pension income replaces some of former salary: 30%.
4. Lower taxes - no more Social Security tax, lower state and federal income taxes, more time for tax planning: 15%
5. Lower personal expenses from being home more, cooking from scratch, more time to price shop, switch to LED bulbs, etc.: 15%
6: More time for credit card and frequent flyer hacks for cash and free travel: 10%
This hypothetical worker would break even with working a 40 hour a week W2 job - the categories above all add up to 100% of his former gross salary. It isn't the exact salary as much as the percent in each category that matters. Other categories could include the money an early retiree saves from having the kids launched, downsizing the house instead of just a lower cost of living area or working part-time at an enjoyable hobby job.
If you have a high salary but live where 3/2 tract homes cost $1M like the South Bay, just moving to Southern Cal and buying an equivalent house for $500K is going to free up $500K you can use for after tax living expenses, which might reduce your taxable income significantly.
And I left out not having to save for retirement as an expense.