As the Retirement Plan Live case study continues, Roger Whitney helps Henry and Lucy move from dreaming to feasibility, organizing the real financial resources available to support an early retirement in their 40s. This episode centers on trade-offs, confidence, and the reality of giving up earned income decades early. Roger and the couple walk through income assumptions, assets, and risk tolerance before closing with listener advice, a Smart Sprint, and words for the year.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• (00:00) This show is dedicated to helping you not just survive retirement, but to have the confidence and comfort to lean in and rock retirement.
• (00:27) Roger introduces Week 3 of the Retirement Plan Live case study with Henry and Lucy.
• (02:15) What are Henry and Lucy giving up to retire early?

RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE

• (05:00) Roger asks Henry and Lucy if they pick a word of the year.
• (06:05) Henry and Lucy reflect on why retiring even one year earlier feels uncomfortable without proof.
• (10:50) Review of Social Security assumptions and why it’s excluded from their base plan.
• (14:13) Confirmation that the plan assumes no earned income after retirement.
• (20:40) Overview of after-tax assets, cash buckets, and sinking funds.
• (26:20) Review of retirement accounts, savings rates, and long-term strategy.
• (31:30) Home equity, college savings, and inheritance assumptions.
• (33:40) Clarifying the goal for the after-tax bridge bucket.

ADVICE FROM A RETIREE

• (38:39) Listener Bonnie shares an alternative approach using sabbaticals and flexible work.
• (41:10) Roger reflects on optionality, skill relevance, and maintaining professional networks.

SMART SPRINT

• (42:30) Roger encourages listeners to organize or update their net worth statement.

WORD FOR THE YEAR

• (43:40) Listener Alex shares his word for the year: Healing.
• (45:10) Listener Valerie shares her word for the year: Minimize.

REFERENCES

• Sign up for our next webinar!
• Submit a Question for Roger
• Sign up for The Noodle
• The Retirement Answer Man