Hi, I'm Taco. And I'm hanging on...

[old medic]

Hello Taco... ain't this place great...
We can relate to your story, as the Wife is in the same boat as you. Shes 53, and can jump onto her pension but with a serious reduction. She enjoys her job and plans on staying a few more years, padding her extra 401K, and getting our house done and everything paid off before joining me in retirement.

 

[tbis]

Strongly agree with others who say to stay. The key (from my perspective)is that you appear to LIKE your job and it is low stress. I'm in the same camp as Dadu007 - each day in my job is becoming progressively worse to the point I feel like I am being punked some days. Your case is quite the opposite and thus the only benefit I can see to leaving early is, well...more time in retirement. While folks like to point out that time>money, if I had your job situation...I'd feel like I was already retired!

If your work ever becomes like mine or Dadu007's...then bail!