Agreed. At age 57 we bought guaranteed income (actually income riders on annuities) deferred to start at age 70 along with SS (also delayed to age 70). Having this guaranteed income is what gave me the peace of mind to retire at age 60, knowing (well, at least believing) that we'll never be a financial burden to our children. We funded that guaranteed income by using part of our investment portfolio (thanks bull market!) and keeping the rest 100% invested in diversified equities.
Yeah, that 2022 collapse was painful. I liquidated my bond funds (sunk cost) and used the proceeds to ladder MYGAs (at roughly 5.5%) to guarantee a rate of return to bridge me from retirement to SS.
Edwin, I agree. I simply wanted to eliminate the stress of my demanding job, so having a set of priorities (e.g., fitness, travel, music, volunteering, personal growth) and a desire to get the most out of the Go-Go years with my wife was enough for me to pull the trigger 18 months ago at age 60.
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Agreed. At age 57 we bought guaranteed income (actually income riders on annuities) deferred to start at age 70 along with SS (also delayed to age 70). Having this guaranteed income is what gave me the peace of mind to retire at age 60, knowing (well, at least believing) that we'll never be a financial burden to our children. We funded that guaranteed income by using part of our investment portfolio (thanks bull market!) and keeping the rest 100% invested in diversified equities.
Post: For most retirees, the greatest fear is not death—it is running out of money before they die.
Link to comment from August 8, 2026
Yeah, that 2022 collapse was painful. I liquidated my bond funds (sunk cost) and used the proceeds to ladder MYGAs (at roughly 5.5%) to guarantee a rate of return to bridge me from retirement to SS.
Post: Taking a Loss?
Link to comment from August 1, 2026
Edwin, I agree. I simply wanted to eliminate the stress of my demanding job, so having a set of priorities (e.g., fitness, travel, music, volunteering, personal growth) and a desire to get the most out of the Go-Go years with my wife was enough for me to pull the trigger 18 months ago at age 60.
Post: What I Retired To
Link to comment from August 1, 2026