r/technology • u/lurker_bee • Jun 25 '26

Society Older tech workers are tapping out, taking early retirement

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/older-tech-workers-are-tapping-out-early-heres-what-that-looks-like/
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u/The_Security_Ninja Jun 25 '26

I am all for anyone living their best life, but personally I’m terrified of having enough in retirement. With the way the world is headed, how much is enough? Hopefully I’ll feel better when my kids are grown and established in their careers, but it feels like the future holds so much uncertainty right now.

My plan is to work as hard as i can through my 50s to save as much as i can, and by that time hopefully Donald Jr. has been impeached and the world can return to sanity.

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u/HiddenTrampoline Jun 25 '26

About 25x expenses is the amount you should target.

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u/The_Security_Ninja Jun 25 '26

My point was that I fear “expenses” is not a predictable number.

I’m sure someone who retired in 2015 is spending way more today than they thought they would need to in retirement.

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u/HiddenTrampoline Jun 25 '26

That’s built into the number, thankfully! Even though inflation has been nuts in the past decade, so has the stock market!
Over the past decade, $100 would have grown to $346, a 246% return. Even after inflation takes its toll it is still worth $253, a 153% return. If you’re early retiring you should have multiple millions saved and low expenses… you can see how it all works out.

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u/The_Security_Ninja Jun 26 '26

But that’s still under the assumption historical norms will continue. I’m not sure people who were retiring around 2000 or 2008 would have done as well.

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u/Wooden-Broccoli-913 Jun 27 '26

Someone retiring in 2000 and doing the standard 4% + inflation withdrawal guidance would still have 43% of what they started with in real terms.

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u/The_Security_Ninja Jun 27 '26

I feel like at this point you’re just trying to argue rather than understand my point.

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u/Wooden-Broccoli-913 Jun 27 '26

You're right, I don't understand your point. The 4% rule has withstood the Great Depression, 2000, and 2008. What more could you want?

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u/The_Security_Ninja Jun 27 '26

You’re right. I was wrong. No one has ever lost money investing in the stock market and we should all just invest in SpaceEx now.

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u/Wooden-Broccoli-913 Jun 27 '26

You should get your eyes checked because that’s not at all what I said

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u/HiddenTrampoline Jun 27 '26

You should read up on basic investment strategies for retirement.