7 Comments

Good question. Continuing to work and delaying Social Security retirement benefits until age 70 will increase the magic number and the lifetime sustainable living standard. The trade-off of continuing to work is delaying some of the benefits households receive from leisure. With a couple, something to be discussed!

Expand full comment

Would you include moving as a recommendation for maximizing life style? There are other cities where their income would go much further

Expand full comment

Absolutely! From income taxes to other costs-of-living concerns geographic choice matters and is one to be evaluated. Details on the topic are forthcoming in chapter 4 of the book.

Expand full comment

If Brooklyn didn't want an early retirement, how would this affect their magic number?

Expand full comment

She invested. In the article, there is a link to my website where I placed the PDF of the financial plan.

If Brooklyn earned at an expected higher rate than I assumed, the magic number would be higher.

Expand full comment

would the magic number change if she also invested?

Expand full comment

There is investment associated with any savings account, whether through an IRA, bank savings, or employer-sponsored plan like a 401k. Higher investment returns will create a higher living standard, but comes with risk. The risk/return trade-off is an important consideration to be evaluated.

Expand full comment