Deferring Gratification

In my mind it doesn’t matter it it “works out,” I don’t care if I break even. I care that I have enough SS, pension and IRA income to do what I want when I want without worrying about running out of money. By delaying our retirement until 70, we have achieved this goal.

When I referred to “working out”, I didn’t mean financially, I meant regarding longevity. Delaying gratification to have more money in retirement doesn’t mean much if one is dead before retirement.

One of my deceased coworkers commented metaphorically, a few weeks before his death, “I’ve spent my whole life dodging cars to get across the street. Just as I was going to put my foot on the curb, I’m getting hit by a bus.”