I recently made the decision to retire early. My wife did not. She continues to work the same number of hours at her same job.
Our path enables me to be free of a job I was burnt out on, improves family dynamics, and allows us to live with financial abundance.
No decision is without trade-offs. Having one spouse working when the other leaves their career creates new challenges at the same time it solves others. Retiring before my wife produces new relationship stress, limits financial and personal options that would be available if we were both retired, and creates unique risks.
There are major personal and financial implications for partners retiring at different times. They need to be considered to determine if this strategy makes sense for you.
