So it looks like the magic number is...

[mmmmmbeer]

$700k at 9% ARR...

If a guy can retire with at least $700k and get an average of a 9% return, he/she can withdraw $5,000 a month and your balance will never go down.

I need >$700k and 50 and I'll pull the plug.

[bamablue]

I can see my Wife's reaction to this. "$5000 a month... that's going to be tough, but doable. What will you live on?"

[mjedlin66]

If you own your house outright, then 5 grand for an old married couple is plenty doable.

[mmmmmbeer]

$5K a month is just the TSP, I should have clarified that in the OP. The magic TSP number is 700k. So that 5k no TSP withdrawal will need taxes deducted, but doesn't count the $4800/mo net (life ins, health ins, fed tax) pension.

So.. say a 25% tax bracket... that 5k taxed becomes 4k..

Still 8800/net a month for life?

House will not be paid off for a lot of years... moved 4x in the last 10 years. Just took a 30 year mortgage for 406k... meh.. the deduction will be nice regardless

[mmmmmbeer]

I can see my Wife's reaction to this. "$5000 a month... that's going to be tough, but doable. What will you live on?"

Haha! Right?!

[galveston1]

$5K a month is just the TSP... so that will need taxes deducted, but doesn't count the $4800/mo net (life ins, health ins, fed tax) pension.

So.. say a 25% tax bracket... that 5k taxed becomes 4k..

Still 8800/net a month for life?

House will not be paid off for a lot of years... moved 4x in the last 10 years. Just took a 30 year mortgage for 406k... meh.. the deduction will be nice regardless

Add in a VA disability pension and now we're talking. Right now MRA at 56 with 40+ years of service is looking like a real possibility. (non LEO) Only 3 years to go!

[FlyIFR]

Looks like a plan.

[Trumper1]

$700k at 9% ARR...

If a guy can retire with at least $700k and get an average of a 9% return, he/she can withdraw $5,000 a month and your balance will never go down.

I need >$700k and 50 and I'll pull the plug.

Very interesting.

[SeattleSid]

Good info. Thank you.

[mattch45]

I hope that's inflation adjusted. I don't think $5k a month is going to be very comfortable 25 years from now, much less 50 when you presumably intend to still be alive.

[mmmmmbeer]

I hope that's inflation adjusted. I don't think $5k a month is going to be very comfortable 25 years from now, much less 50 when you presumably intend to still be alive.

Inflation adjusted the 5 becomes 4... hopefully the pension will adjust but I guess that's up to Congress.

I will be 50 in 7 years. I plan on living until I die.

[TampaTed]

If I can save 700K I can live on that without a pension.

[JrEwing]

I'm shooting for 1M. That and my pension is going to be sweet.

[Kpop]

I'm shooting for 1M. That and my pension is going to be sweet.

Good luck.

[TampaTed]

I'm shooting for 1M. That and my pension is going to be sweet.

Hope you make it.