I am intending to use the three-pronged system:
Pension, Investments, Social Security.
My wife (31) and I (30) are both state employees, and can retire at 55. However, our retirement tier for said pension substantially improves in value for each year past 55 that we vest (approx 8% additional per year of the average of our highest 3 years salary, maxed at 63 years of age).
We have separate, aggressive 403B accounts that we have been contributing to since our mid 20s in tax-sheltered deductions from our checks. We also recently opened a Roth IRA (in her name, of course!). Additionally we have the “rainy day fund” in our personal savings and obviously account for home improvements, vacations, surprise expenses, etc.
Aside from the mortgage at 3.6% interest (we owe approx 188k over the next 25 years), we have no debt aside from the car payment and credit cards, which we clear off in full each month.
The one area we are knowingly missing is the life insurance, which now that my daughter is 6m and we have a little extra income, we are going to secure in the coming months.
We don’t live a lavish lifestyle, but live comfortably, afford what we want to a certain degree, eat and drink well and take the occasional family trip.
One day I want a vacation home (not sure where) and in 30 years I am hoping that Roth IRA will the down payment on the home. Other than that, I plan to live easy and keep it simple and hopefully celebrate a few super bowl victories along the way