I quite envy the people who had the choice of whether to succumb to OMY syndrome, or whether to pull the plug. I had originally planned to work another 5-10 years but like ziggy, the choice was made for me when my company went out of business. I tried, but couldn't quite muster the mojo to work again. For whatever reason, my get up and go had got up and gone.
So far, yes, but it's really too early to tell. I stopped work in 2009, and began portfolio withdrawals in 2011. The market has been very kind to us in the last few years, so I'll wait a while longer before declaring this experiment a success.What helped it work has been maintaining a fairly low material standard of living (cheap apartment, no car etc). This was a lifestyle I had been practicing while working anyway, so it doesn't feel like a sacrifice.Did it work out for you?
All hypothetical as the author hasn't retired and presumably had a very well paying career (30 years in Silicon Valley) with more choices than the average Joe or Jane, but well thought out, and I wish him the best. Odds are he'll be fine...
(30 years in Silicon Valley)