Just to add another factor to things: what are the risks in this investment? What could cause the feds to not pay/pay less, even if you did your full 30 years? Could congress decide "we need more money for blahblah, so we're reducing government pensions"?
Low probability of this! Before this happens, they slap a wealth tax on all the rest of us.
I agree that the main question is what lifestyle appeals. This board is a very skewed population. To many (most) people other than ER types, having money means having money to spend, not just to look at in spreadsheets.
ERs say, "I want to retire while I have good health." Understandable maybe, but all periods in our lives are unique. The years between college graduation and maybe early thirties can be a unique time of fun and social freedom. If saving money is one's number one priority, a lot of that freedom is wasted. Unless you really are the type that doesn't like concerts, ski weekends, eating out frequently with friends, going to bars and clubs.
When I go to an entertainment district on a summer night, and see all the young people flirting and having fun, I am really glad that is how I spent my young years. I'm not talking about see how cool we can be by drinking only Ketel 1. But face it, a night out with friends, even if you have no date, is hard to keep below $20-$25. That sure eats into saving one half or one third of pretax income.
Azanon is obviously conflicted. I think he is single, but I don't remember. What if he falls for a woman who doesn't much like chicken wings and shopping at Costco?
I'd say if you know you want to spend a few years wandering around, that argues for piling up money. Or if you really hate any job that you think you have reasonable chance of getting and/or training for, ditto.
But if you don't mind working, and have a good job, to me it is better to save some, but not ruin your life over it. As I have written here before, ER tends to be a one way gate.
Mikey