Software Developer Burnout Case

[howieb]

I got an early start on saving when I saw that I could eliminate my federal income liability by investing in an IRA. Got a late start on earning by not having a job that paid more than $10,000 a year until I was 38 and my wife and I began saving in earnest. In the 15 years since then, we have managed to pay off a modest house in Seattle and put our toes over the seven figures line, almost all of it in retirement accounts.

Following my job burnout, I stumbled into a home-based ecommerce business that now pays me more than my job with much less stress and effort. A Fidelity solo 401(k) allows me to put away nearly $50K a year. I recently opened a T. Rowe Price Roth 401(k) plan as a hedge against the likelyhood of higher income taxes in the future.

I intend to carry forth with the business at least until my wife's planned retirement in 4 years at age 53.

I am now a seasoned, but unophisticated investor, with all my investments in mutual funds, with a bit over half in low-cost index funds:

• Domestic Equities 40%
• Foreign Equities 15%
• Domestic Bonds 33%
• Cash 12%

Right now I am looking at increasing the diversification of my portfolio to include more emerging market equities and other asset classes that are little or unrepresented. I am also evaluating the appropriateness of long-term care insurance to our situation.

I look forward to a valuable give and take here on the board.

 

[Dawg52]

Welcome! Looks like you are in great shape and have a nice investment mix.

Just curious, do you have your health insurance with your wife's employer? Health insurance is the biggie as for as ER goes. You probably have that covered but if not, that is a must.

 

[howieb]

Yes, Boeing, my wife's employer, extends health insurance to me. In order to receive an big increase in her pension and the retiree medical coverage offered, her employer she needs to stay until she is 53, at which point she can take a two year leave of absence for a normal age 55 early retirement. The only downside to this is that we will have to pay the full cost of health insurance during those two years. We are very fortunate to have one of us in a job with such generous benefits.

 

[bssc]

Welcome to the boards

I see that you have found that health insurance is a tricky issue, but you have it solved. I hope that you will look around and contribute in the different forums, such as FIRE and Investing.

Again, welcome.

 

[EngineeringMyFinances]

I'd be careful about the health insurance issue. I also work for a Mega-Corp that offers retiree medical insurance at age 55. But they've also stated that they have the option to eliminate the coverage, but would allow me to stay in their health plan if I pay the full cost. I'd read the SPD for her pension plan carefully.