How 4 People Retired Early

For many people who suffered lackluster investment returns after enduring a highly volatile stock market, retirement has become an elusive goal. Some financial experts recommend that workers postpone retirement as wages stagnate, 401(k) portfolios underperform and pension plans go the way of the rotary phone.

However, some people have discovered that retirement is not as hard as it looks. With a bit of careful planning and dedication, that time of leisure can come earlier than 65 -- much earlier in some cases.

Bankrate profiled four people who managed early retirement at ages ranging from 33 to 52. None of them had the advantages of a family fortune, a lottery jackpot or an initial public offering, or IPO, windfall to support them. Instead, these retirees learned the importance of patient savings and cost-cutting while ignoring risky bets and avoiding trendy get-rich-quick schemes.

Satisfying Early Retirement

Bob Scottsdale, Ariz. Age: 62 Retired at 52

Bob began saving for retirement at 30, stashing away 15% to 25% of his annual income. He was able to amass $500,000 in a retirement fund by the time he stopped working just 22 years later.

Since then, he has kept that money in an IRA and lives on an annual pension of $40,000, which is about half of his pre-retirement income. That, combined with the inheritance of a modest estate from his parents, has given him a comfortable retirement.

However, his IRA portfolio lost $250,000 after the crash in 2008. He hopes to recover that money before he turns 64, when he intends on drawing on his IRA. The experience also taught him to simplify his life by cutting expenses and having less stuff.

Bob calls his investment approach "very conservative" -- he invested for long-term growth and avoided riskier investment opportunities. He also believes in cost-cutting on big items. For example, with the proceeds from a home sale, he bought his current house outright in cash to avoid having a mortgage. The biggest financial hurdle for him is medical care. He spends a quarter of his yearly income on health insurance alone.

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Early Retirement Without a Fortune