Why are people retiring in their 30s or 40s?

H.K. Sterling
Quill and Ink
Published in
5 min readMay 1, 2024

Is our way of life becoming more uninteresting?

Photo by JW. on Unsplash

Introduction

Many young entrepreneurs, startup owners, or people working in high-position jobs choose to retire early. What is going on inside their brain? Why do they want an early retirement instead of the traditional retirement plan? Why an Early Retirement? Let’s look at the broader picture below.

What Is Early Retirement?

Early retirement refers to the state of being financially secure enough to stop working for money and redirect one’s focus towards other personal goals and aspirations. It is a stage in life where individuals have the freedom to pursue their passions and interests without the pressure of earning a living.

Despite the economic challenges that many people face, early retirement is a desirable achievement that provides a sense of comfort and fulfilment to those who can attain it.

Well! For that, you need to make some mindset adjustments and lifestyle changes that are necessary to achieve the objective of early retirement.

Although this journey does look stressful, it will be challenging but rewarding.

Is there a particular age for early retirement?
Retirement is a significant milestone in one’s life, and, understandably, many individuals aspire to retire early. While some prefer to work well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond, others aim to retire as early as possible. People have different aspirations and goals, and early retirement is one of them.

Why do people retire early?
This is a very recent concept: early retirement. Usually, people work till the age of 60 like my parents or your parents. In their time, there was nothing such as early retirement. But looking at the development and growth in both, mentality and technology, this early retirement has become a thing where people work till they are 40 or 45 max and then they stop working for money because they would have enough money to survive the rest of their lives.

What is F.I.R.E.? Is it real?
Have you heard of the F.I.R.E. movement? It’s a lifestyle movement that encourages people to achieve financial independence and retire early. The idea is to save and invest a significant portion of your income while also living below your means, avoiding debt, and making smart financial decisions to build wealth. It’s all about taking control of your finances and working toward a brighter future!

Let’s take a look at the steps that you need to consider for an early retirement:

Step 1: Set your early retirement goals.
To achieve early retirement or a comfortable and fulfilling retirement in general, it’s crucial to create a roadmap for the future. Don’t leave your future to chance. Define your goals for the next 15 to 20 years and develop a comprehensive plan to achieve them. By taking charge of your future and developing a clear path to success, you’ll be well on your way to achieving the retirement lifestyle that you desire.

Having a clear set of goals and ambitions will help you immensely in the long run.

Step 2: Create a retirement budget.
Creating an early retirement plan involves saving enough money to support your lifestyle without relying on a traditional job. Here are some steps to follow:

  1. Determine your retirement goals by calculating how much money you’ll need. Clarity about how much money you need will help in other decision-making areas.
  2. If you are working right now, you must invest a part of your income to secure a future for you and your family (if you plan to have kids or even just you and your spouse). Various options are available in the market, like mutual funds, fixed deposits, stocks, and other investments.
  3. When you make regular investments, it’s important to ensure that you’re not overspending. It’s wiser to save money now rather than later, as once you retire, you will only be able to spend what you’ve saved until that point. To cut down on costs, you can consider reducing your travel expenses and avoiding unnecessary purchases. These are some of the major areas where you can save money.
  4. Consider developing a side income source to alleviate financial stress. Exploring alternative income streams is a proactive way to take control of your finances. Start today with investment ideas like peer-to-peer lending, dividend-paying stocks, or renting out an empty room or house.

Step 3: Take control of your life.
You don’t know how your life will be after, say, 15 or maybe 20 years, but you can analyze your strengths and weaknesses and stay in the present.

Gather all the information about your assets and investments (if any) to see where you stand financially. By doing this, you will get a clear picture of the total value of your investments (if any). You can assess how much more money you need to get to your target.

Step 4: The Real Estate Game.
Buying a real estate property is not a common practice in your twenties. Although some people do it, it’s not something everyone does. Instead, you can start planning to buy a property in the next 5 to 7 years, either in your country or wherever you plan to spend the rest of your life.

In my opinion, investing in a house is a better option than any other investment. You can either rent it out or live in it, depending on your choice, and it can fulfil both your financial and personal goals by earning rental income or serving as a retirement home.

Step 5: Plan and choose wisely.
When planning for retirement, it’s important to consider various factors, such as your preferred location, the possibility of working after retirement, healthcare options, and how to manage your income streams.

Carefully considering these factors can help you make informed decisions and ensure a comfortable retirement.

Conclusion
Early retirement is achievable with strategic planning and dedication. Seek professional guidance to streamline the process and ensure financial security. This involves assessing your financial goals, creating a savings plan, identifying areas for improvement, and developing a personalized retirement plan. Finally, ensure financial security by understanding your income sources and managing your expenses.

Follow me here H.K. Sterling. I like to write about adulting, personal finance, and much more.

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