@pb4uski job well done on the work and the discipline to put yourself in a position to retire at 56 in 2012. I want you and others in similar positions to continue to thrive in retirement, though I want to make note of a couple things that you could consider. “Average rate of return” is not real rate of return, and within various windows of time the “average” is typically lower. Another consideration is, how does one adjust their “prudent 4%” annual withdrawal when their portfolio drops by the “26.6%” noted in this article?
https://www.financialsamurai.com/historical-returns-of-different-stock-bond-portfolio-weightings/.
Lastly, so far I have been reading commentary from folks on here that believe I am a scum salesperson of life insurance policies. My goal is for everyone that wants financial independence to have it. Whole life policies are not just a financial windfall for dead people’s heirs. They provide financial certainty and freedom within the owner of the policy’s lifetime. A question (of many) for everyone to ponder that desires FI is, “is each dollar you utilize doing more than one job when put into whatever portfolio split you choose?”
The answer is “no”. Becoming Your Own Banker utilizing a whole life policy is the only vehicle that provides your hard earned dollars to perform multiple jobs...and tax-free, at that.