"I'm 56 with $3M saved. My husband says we can't afford for me to retire early. Is he right?"
HerMoney with Jean ChatzkyShow Notes
This week, Jean sits down with Louise, 56, a high-tech executive who's burned out, stretched thin, and seriously asking herself whether it's time to walk away from her career.
Louise has done everything right: she and her husband have $3.2M in retirement accounts, over $400k in vested stock, a home worth almost $2 million, and 529s for the kids. But with a family of six to cover, and healthcare costs that could rival a mortgage, the math is murkier than it looks. Jean helps her think through what early retirement would actually cost, where the real risks are, and what she needs to figure out before she makes any moves.
In this episode:
The Rule of 55 — what it is, how it works, and whether it's the right move
Why the 4% rule may not be enough when you're only 56
Healthcare on the open market: what it really costs for a family of six post-subsidy
How unvested stock grants could completely change Louise's retirement picture
Why your home equity belongs in your net worth calculation
The case for finding a middle path between burnout and full retirement
What to ask a financial advisor before making any early retirement decisions
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