The average person gets just 30,000 days on this planet.
And yet most of us spend nearly half of it working long hours, missing out on irreplaceable time with family, friends, and the kinds of life experiences we’ll never get back.
The thing is, many of the high-achieving professionals we work with could have stepped away from full-time work years earlier, if only they knew what signs to look for.
Not scraping by.
Not downgrading their lifestyle.
But transitioning confidently, without sacrificing freedom or financial peace of mind.
Let’s start by clearing up one major myth:
Most people think there’s some official retirement age, like 65, and that retiring earlier means giving something up.
Less money.
Less freedom.
More stress.
But the truth is most just haven't done the maths, or don’t know where to start.
If you're wondering whether you're closer to retirement than you think, this list might surprise you.
By the way, I also published a YouTube video on this very topic, which you can watch here if you prefer:
Most people assume they need a huge nest egg to retire.
But they’ve never done the maths on how much they actually spend.
Knowing your monthly expenses, and having a clear picture of where your money’s going, is one of the strongest indicators that you’re in control financially.
Take a look at the last 6–12 months of spending.
You might find you’re not as far off as you thought.
One of the biggest expenses people have in working life is housing.
If you’ve paid off your mortgage, that’s a major financial weight off your shoulders.
Let’s say your monthly spend is $4,500, but $1,500 of that is your mortgage. Once that’s gone, you only need $3,000 a month to maintain the same lifestyle.
That means your savings go further, and the number you need to hit before retiring drops significantly.
A lot of people think they can’t touch their pension until they’re 65 or older.
But depending on your age and setup, you may already be able to access some of it, without taking a big tax hit.
We’ve seen people in their mid-50s reduce their working hours, take summers off, or explore creative pursuits they’d put off for years - simply because they realised they could.
Too many retirement plans are built around best-case scenarios.
What if the markets drop right after you stop working?
What if you face unexpected costs or personal challenges?
If you’ve already worked through “what if” scenarios and your plan still holds up, that’s a huge green light.
It means you’re not just prepared.
You’re resilient.
Retirement doesn’t mean having no income.
It means not relying on a single full-time job.
If you’ve got rental income, dividends, part-time consulting, anything that brings in money without needing you 9 to 5, then you're already ahead.
It gives you options.
And freedom.
Being “invested” isn’t the same as being prepared.
If your portfolio is spread across different regions, sectors, and asset classes, that’s a big sign you’re ready.
Diversification isn’t just about growing your money. It’s about protecting it, especially when markets wobble or politics shift.
Retirement isn’t just about money.
It’s about energy, time, and what you can do with both.
If you're physically active, mentally sharp, and feeling good, this might be the perfect time to enjoy life on your terms.
You could wait until 67… but will your knees still be up for hiking in the Alps?
Burnout isn’t just being tired.
It’s a signal that something’s not right.
If your work no longer excites you - or worse, drains you - why push through when you don’t have to?
For many of our clients, stepping back didn’t mean giving up.
It meant finally choosing something more meaningful.
Retirement isn’t about doing nothing.
It’s about doing what matters.
If you’ve already pictured what you’d do with more freedom - travelling, volunteering, learning something new, spending time with loved ones - that’s a powerful sign.
Retirement becomes exciting when it’s not just an escape from work, but a move towards something.
Still reading this?
That’s a clue in itself.
Most people deeply embedded in their careers aren’t researching retirement.
But you are.
Which means something inside you is ready, curious, maybe even restless.
Don’t ignore that feeling. It’s trying to tell you something.
You might be closer to retirement than you think. Not in a “maybe one day” way.
But in a “run the numbers and check your options” way.
Knowing you can retire is one thing.
Knowing how to make the most of that freedom? That’s the next step.
And if you're ready to figure that out—we’re here to help.