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Joined: 10/07/1999 Posts: 36643
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Retired at 51.

Took a leap of faith at 39 and leveraged all we had to buy out the owners of my engineering firm. Through many machinations grew the firm over the next 12 years to become a highly regarded and highly profitable business. I had accomplished all I wanted to in the field and was also getting worn out by the rat race of "feeding the beast" and was ready to get out. Sold it internally to 20 employees (had grown to 175 person firm).

I don't miss the daily grind but do miss a lot of the people. Still get together with some of them regulalry even after 10+ years.

As for finances we just live off part of the interest from our investments (made a lot of money in the business and selling it). Part of my retirement agreement was for my old firm to pay health insurance premiums for us for the remainder of our lives (supplemental once on MediCare).

Not sure what you mean by independently wealthy. We didn't inherit any money but we have a boatload now from good business decisions, etc, which is why I could retire at 51.

[Post edited by 133743Hokie at 02/19/2020 11:54AM]

(In response to this post by WestyHokie)

Posted: 02/19/2020 at 11:40AM

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Current Thread:

Any Loungers retire in your 50s? What were your key actions until SS? -- WestyHokie 02/19/2020 07:36AM

Not retired, but took a side job -- VaTechie 02/19/2020 5:00PM

Haven't had a "job" for 15 years. Can't wait for the wife to retire -- Nzane4vtNnc 02/19/2020 4:17PM

My dad retired at 60 -helped by 100% free health care for him/wife for life -- FfxStationHokie 02/19/2020 3:46PM

That is definitely the big unknown ** -- WestyHokie 02/19/2020 4:37PM

Retired @55. Answers to qs inside -- ColoVT82 02/19/2020 2:16PM

Retired from my job at 52 with full benefits (thanks Hughes Aircraft), then -- AZHokie59 02/19/2020 1:42PM

Too much hooker and blow debt to even consider retiring ** -- FfxStationHokie 02/19/2020 12:53PM

I retired at 55. I have a sponsor. -- Newt 02/19/2020 12:48PM

Retired on my 50th birthday almost 12 years ago. Made some good bank and... -- Major Kong 02/19/2020 12:02PM

NM** -- 133743Hokie 02/19/2020 11:43AM

Retired at 51. -- 133743Hokie 02/19/2020 11:40AM

That's some damn fine financial maneuvering, congrats. ** -- HokieNoVA 02/19/2020 1:23PM

First few years were stressful. But growing the firm's revenue YOY made -- 133743Hokie 02/19/2020 5:32PM

I'd LOVE to retire in my 50's. But the market would have to absolutely -- HokieNoVA 02/19/2020 11:12AM

Would love to but not practical and the current job may be -- fordham 02/19/2020 10:53AM

Retired at 58 (two and a half years ago) -- Hokerer 02/19/2020 10:35AM

1,3,&4 are huge for stability.... 2 is for comfort. -- HokieSignGuy 02/19/2020 10:54AM

If you love your job, don't retire. Take more time off, but don't retire. ** -- TechMomof2 02/19/2020 10:06AM

Says the female. Seems they're terrified of having to spend more time -- Hokerer 02/19/2020 11:08AM

Ha Ha! Also, his hobbies are too expensive! ** -- TechMomof2 02/19/2020 11:09PM

Regarding healthcare, my understanding is you have to use healthcare.gov -- Hokie360 02/19/2020 10:01AM

Nope, you can buy individual plans directly -- VaTechie 02/19/2020 5:05PM

I've looked on major carriers actual websites, and did not find any full -- Hokie360 02/19/2020 5:23PM

Dec 15 is sign up time -- VaTechie 02/19/2020 5:49PM

Thanks. I was going to assume about $2K to be conservative on the theory -- Hokie360 02/19/2020 5:57PM

I really did a deep dive this year on insurance -- VaTechie 02/19/2020 6:17PM

Good info, thanks; yeah, employer plans are not cheap to continue ** -- WestyHokie 02/19/2020 10:39AM

Just retired at 60...federal retiree- and overall... -- TD-Tech 02/19/2020 09:16AM

Didn't wait two more years to get 10% more? ** -- `lag 02/19/2020 10:54AM

Try rideshare driving - make a few bucks, work when you choose. ** -- PhotoHokieNC 02/19/2020 09:21AM

Oh - you mean like Uber, right? ** -- TD-Tech 02/19/2020 09:24AM

Yes. I have friends & acquaintances who love doing it. -- PhotoHokieNC 02/19/2020 09:28AM

Thought about it-might-I'm in blacksburg, so how many... -- TD-Tech 02/19/2020 09:32AM

Buy a Honda Element. It has rubber floor mats instead of carpet, so... -- EDGEMAN 02/19/2020 10:04AM

I can hose out my Fj Cruiser-gotta put waterproof seat covers in ** -- TD-Tech 02/19/2020 10:15AM

You're all set! ** -- PhotoHokieNC 02/19/2020 11:06AM

Wouldn't take drunks in a FJ Cruiser, but a Honda... ** -- EDGEMAN 02/19/2020 10:39AM

You don't have to work during the peak barfing hours. -- Hokie360 02/19/2020 09:36AM

As I understand it, fares are higher during barf times (after 5pm?). -- PhotoHokieNC 02/19/2020 10:02AM

That could be incentive-plus-drunk college chick stories! :) ;) ** -- TD-Tech 02/19/2020 10:15AM

True-I could make them ride in the back cargo area-I can hose that out ** -- TD-Tech 02/19/2020 09:38AM

You mean, like a commuter slug line? ** -- TD-Tech 02/19/2020 09:23AM

You can draw on your last employer's 401k if retired at 55 or older. ** -- Hokie360 02/19/2020 09:12AM

Isn't that only if you are forcibly retired? I'll have to check that again ** -- WestyHokie 02/19/2020 09:18AM

Had an advisor from my current 401k tell me that. They were suggesting -- Hokie360 02/19/2020 09:22AM

If you roll it into a regular IRA don’t you have a wider selection of -- CPRVHokie 02/19/2020 09:29AM

That's probably true, but then you couldn't pull until age 59 (or 59-1/2?) -- Hokie360 02/19/2020 09:34AM

Retirement's for chumps. -- PhotoHokieNC 02/19/2020 08:32AM

Or -- PhotoHokieNC 02/19/2020 08:35AM

Or (2) -- PhotoHokieNC 02/19/2020 08:35AM

This is the PapaHurlz school of thought. Turning 80 and still working. ** -- Hurley09 02/19/2020 08:44AM

My dad is retiring next year after 50 years with Lockheed -- typed by ben 02/19/2020 09:18AM

Lottery tickets! ** -- EDGEMAN 02/19/2020 08:13AM

...look up “Rule of 55” ** -- chumley 02/19/2020 08:07AM

I did, too late for me, but interesting ** -- `lag 02/19/2020 10:56AM

Well.... -- Bburg Native 02/19/2020 07:46AM

Retired at 51.

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