Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 01:13 PM   #1
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 101
Planning to die broke

Let's say I've decided my nest egg of $500k, 49 years in the making, need only last me until the age of 70, when whatever remains of social security, pension, Medicare and 401K will see me to the end. With a few simple assumptions plugged in a calculator (http://www.planningtips.com/cgi-bin/retire.pl) …3.5% inflation and 8% returns, I can expect that egg to produce $36k in pre-tax income to carry me through the next 21 years of ER, adjusted annually for inflation. With no mortgage, dependents or health issues, this seems a reasonable set of terms on which to pull the trigger and submit my resignation from the j-o-b. Anything wrong with this plan?

PS: Love this board!
__________________
There is never enough time, unless you're serving it. --Malcolm Forbes
FlogBlogger is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 01:22 PM   #2
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 325
Re: Planning to die broke

Seems like your making a lot of assumptions. 8% for starters, would scare me. Most people are saying 5 - 7% at the moment.
CybrMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 01:23 PM   #3
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,875
Re: Planning to die broke

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlogBlogger
Anything wrong with this plan?
Nope!

JG
MRGALT2U is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 01:28 PM   #4
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
JPatrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,610
Re: Planning to die broke

Same thought as Cybr-mike.
The 8% could be tough, plus factor in,* a not impossible,* 25%decline your first year out and you are totally screwed the rest of the way.
You say no health issues. Does that mean your insurance is covered??
Welcome to the board.
JPatrick is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 02:02 PM   #5
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 101
Re: Planning to die broke

Nice to be a-board.

"No health issues" means I'm fit and without any chronic complaints, and a low-premium catastrophic policy, coupled with an HSA, is within budget. I wouldn't be averse to seeking low-cost care across the border, either.

You say 8% ROI is high? Many relatively-conservative indexed funds are hitting that mark, and a stop-loss would preclude drastic declines in portfolio value.

Wish I was as confident as I sound.
__________________
There is never enough time, unless you're serving it. --Malcolm Forbes
FlogBlogger is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 02:32 PM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
JPatrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,610
Re: Planning to die broke

I haven't run the numbers, but from here I notice a couple of issues.
I think 500K may be a little light to provide 36K unless you start pushing an 8% withdrawal rate. *That's risky. *Your 8% return stands up if you look at historical returns. *Nonetheless, I'd recommend you not exceed 6% for planning purposes. *Don't get fixed on the past returns of some hot index like an extended index, cause you may want to be a little less aggressive in the later years. *
JPatrick is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 02:42 PM   #7
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 101
Re: Planning to die broke

"I think 500K may be a little light to provide 36K unless you start pushing an 8% withdrawal rate."

I'm aware of the 4% rule, which assumes preservation of capital. My numbers, however, assume a declining nest egg that would take me to $0 in 21 years. $500k with 3.5% inflation and 8% return provides $36k/year.
__________________
There is never enough time, unless you're serving it. --Malcolm Forbes
FlogBlogger is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 03:03 PM   #8
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Rustic23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lake Livingston, Tx
Posts: 4,203
Re: Planning to die broke

My calculations have you going broke in 20 - 22 years. If inflation is 4% and you get 8% return it is 20 years. 3.5% inflation and 8% 22 years. That as someone said does not account for a few years at -2% or worse in the first couple of years. Inflation moves your $35000 required in year 1 to around $73,000 in 20 years at (4%). If you are really expect $35,000 in expences each year and need that much to make this work, I think you will be working again. If you can adjust your spending in the lean years this might work.
__________________
If it is after 5:00 when I post I reserve the right to disavow anything I posted.
Rustic23 is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 03:45 PM   #9
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 101
Re: Planning to die broke

"If you are really expect $35,000 in expences each year and need that much to make this work, I think you will be working again."

...and that's the $35,000 question. FIREs can budget and run numbers until the cows come home, yet reality has a way of sidestepping expectations. That is the risk we're all faced with, and to some extent it is clearly a matter of psychology as to whether one feels this set of numbers provides the requisite safety margin over that set.

With so many unpredictables I find it's simpler to budget down to $0 than to some "safe" amount.
__________________
There is never enough time, unless you're serving it. --Malcolm Forbes
FlogBlogger is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 04:12 PM   #10
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
haha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
Re: Planning to die broke

Go for it man. You can join our list of coal mine canaries. Can't have too many of those!

Ha
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
haha is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 04:54 PM   #11
Full time employment: Posting here.
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 802
Re: Planning to die broke

Choose a % you want to withdraw ( 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%) and take it from your portfolio balance each December 31.

First year 8% of $500 000 is $40 000.

If you have a bad year and your balance next year is $400 000 then you take $32 000.

If you had a good year and the December 31 balance is $600 000 then take $48 000.

Keep a 60/40 balance and you will be fine.

I've been doing this since 1997, and using 5%.

I'm now 62, and expect to last much longer than 70.















Zipper is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 04:57 PM   #12
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
cute fuzzy bunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
Re: Planning to die broke

I think you might find yourself a little disappointed when you hit 70 and social security isnt paying squat, your pension "went away" and medicare isnt paying for most of your medical costs anymore.

I would really, really, really not recommend a plan that has you shooting your wad and then leaning on the social programs and charity of your federal government and fellow man...
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
cute fuzzy bunny is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 05:02 PM   #13
Moderator Emeritus
Martha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: minnesota
Posts: 13,228
Re: Planning to die broke

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlogBlogger
Nice to be a-board.

"No health issues" means I'm fit and without any chronic complaints, and a low-premium catastrophic policy, coupled with an HSA, is within budget. I wouldn't be averse to seeking low-cost care across the border, either.

This is not something I would rely on for planning purposes.

Where do you get your insurance? Can the company increase your premiums as you age? If you become ill?
__________________
.


No more lawyer stuff, no more political stuff, so no more CYA

Martha is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 05:55 PM   #14
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
wildcat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Lou-evil
Posts: 2,025
Re: Planning to die broke

FB -

Sounds like you had your mind made up from jump street. Keep us posted...
__________________
"These walls are kind of funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, gets so you depend on them"
wildcat is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 06:14 PM   #15
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
tryan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,594
Re: Planning to die broke

Quote:
I think you will be working again
Going back to wo-wo-wo-oork wouldn't be the end of the world.

Watched the game last night with a friend who finally exausted his stash (planned a 4 year "break"; he's nearly broke after 3 1/2 years). So he reports that he can work at Home Depot 20 hrs/wk and get health bennies! No debt, owns a home; just needs spending $$ (and tax $$). This will be an improvement since he's been without health coverage for 3.5 years (something I could NEVER do). To each, his own.
__________________
FIRE'd since 2005
tryan is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 06:17 PM   #16
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
REWahoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,004
Re: Planning to die broke

Quote:
Originally Posted by tryan
...he reports that he can work at Home Depot 20 hrs/wk and get health bennies!
I considred that very same thing...until I realized to get the second I would have to do the first. :P

__________________
Numbers is hard
REWahoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 06:59 PM   #17
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 101
Re: Planning to die broke

"You have 'enough' money from SS, Pensions, and 401K to last after age 70 until the bitter end? Am I correct here?" --SO IT SEEMS. "What's the value of your 401k?"--I purposely didn't include 401k, IRA, pension and ss data, since that total value in 2027 dollars is even less clear.

Interesting, is it, the range of responses, from "right on, go for it" to "whoaaa..still looking thin in the wallet!" I suppose that is a reflection of varying risk tolerances, a most personal choice.

I like the middle way...flex the budget in accordance with returns. Try living with less. And perhaps find pleasureable work that provides income or benefits...but then, this is not the early-semi-retirement forum!

If you must know, I have $150k in tax-deferred investments, and a couple grand in ss/pension to come...
__________________
There is never enough time, unless you're serving it. --Malcolm Forbes
FlogBlogger is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 07:16 PM   #18
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
JPatrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,610
Re: Planning to die broke

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlogBlogger


I like the middle way...flex the budget in accordance with returns. Try living with less. And perhaps find pleasureable work that provides income or benefits...but then, this is not the early-semi-retirement forum!
Well see flog, your original post didn't mention that you could eat canned corn if need be, or continue working---- Given all this new flexibility I'd change my vote to "go for it", I suspect your 500K will now last as long as you want it to.
JPatrick is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 07:38 PM   #19
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 101
Re: Planning to die broke

Quote:
Originally Posted by JPatrick
Well see flog, your original post didn't mention that you could eat canned corn if need be, or continue working---- Given all this new flexibility I'd change my vote to "go for it", I suspect your 500K will now last as long as you want it to.
Well, JP, I never said I was inflexible...in fact, canned corn is a fundamental staple of us bachelor RV-ers! I suspect, however, if I suggested counting bison for the park service at Yellowstone twenty hours a week in exchange for free RV space, I would be considered blasphemous and barred from further posts.
__________________
There is never enough time, unless you're serving it. --Malcolm Forbes
FlogBlogger is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Planning to die broke
Old 02-06-2006, 08:51 PM   #20
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
JPatrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,610
Re: Planning to die broke

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlogBlogger
Well, JP, I never said I was inflexible...in fact, canned corn is a fundamental staple of us bachelor RV-ers! I suspect, however, if I suggested counting bison for the park service at Yellowstone twenty hours a week in exchange for free RV space, I would be considered blasphemous and barred from further posts.
Oh I know canned corn.* It's not just for RVers, it's the desperation food of all bachelors.* During the shotgun phase of my life it was corn 7 nights a week.* Paydays we'd have creamed corn and every Friday night we'd put a ton of pepper on the corn, put a "rolling Stones" album on, play it backwards and pretend we were eating in a fancy Mexican restaurant with live music.

I've been to Yellowstone, but I've never counted bison for a parking space.* Those rangers always have had a strange sense of humor.* I'd guess the counting is straight forward enough though, just count feet and divide by four eh?*
I do know where you can get plenty of hot water to heat your corn.
I* don't think you need to worry about being barred from posting.* However, if you have any trouble just let me know.* I do have a fair amount of pull around here.* Since crossing the 800 post mark I've pretty much been runnin with the big dogs. : If you know what I mean.
JPatrick is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Live Long? Die Young? Answer Isn’t Just in Genes Eagle43 Other topics 6 08-31-2006 11:12 AM
10 Things to do before you die. dex Other topics 6 11-27-2005 07:59 PM
What Profession Has The Worst Retirement Planning? yakers Other topics 16 10-11-2005 09:35 AM
How To Tap Your Nest Egg & Not Go Broke REWahoo FIRE and Money 4 07-16-2005 08:51 AM
The one thing you would like to do before you Die? Cut-Throat Other topics 7 11-05-2004 01:00 PM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:54 PM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.