The Best Time of Year to Retire?

[@bernie9728]

The best time to retire is between January 1st and December 31st. The best time to retire is as soon as you can afford to. Think about the reason you went to work in the first place. For most of us, we went to work because we were going to need an income to live life as an adult. It should follow that once you no longer needed that income that you would retire. That's what I did at age 62. That was almost 8 years ago now. Second best decision I have ever made.

[@brindleandbay]

Agreed! What was your first best decision?

[@tl4633]

January 31, 2024 is my official retirement day. I am 57 and look forward to the new phase of my life.

[@ChristopherEvans-650]

April 30th 2024 will be my last day of work. 1. My employer does their yearly 401k contribution in February. 2. I will get my semi-annual bonus check on April 5th 2024. 3. ACA health plan doesn't start until the first day of the month. 4. I will still be 55 years old and will be just three weeks short of my 56th birthday and my 37th anniversary at work. 5. I am a runner, cyclist and van life type of person, so the weather is ideal in May for exploring.6. Used 11 weeks of personal days and vacation from Labor Day to Thanksgiving, recently, to get it of the books, so my income will be lower next year without a huge payout. This will give me premium tax credits to apply toward my health insurance.

[@brindleandbay]

You sound like my friend who retired early too. Congrats!

[@desimo147]

I think I saw somewhere that most companies provide health insurance through the end of the month that you quit in. So if your last day occurs during the beginning of the month, you have health coverage through the end of that month. A relatively small thing, but also worth thinking about.

[@brindleandbay]

Good point !

[@mvnman6807]

December is the best month to retire. Given an assumption that your wages increase each year, your wage for the last year is the greatest. The SSA takes the highest 40 years to calculate your Social Security payment. If you retire in July, your greatest earnings year will have less impact on the SSA payment to you.

[@andyklapper8484]

Figuring I'll work the first quarter so I can max out my 401K for the year. It also gets me past the winter months and into the more fun spring and summer months when I don't want to be stuck indoors.

[@radarman2011]

My plan is to retire in May 2024, right after annual bonus time and just as the great spring weather kicks in. I have been in semi-reitirement for 1.5 years already, just working three days a week - but those three days are getting harder and harder . .

[@brindleandbay]

I bet they are!

[@KimBrazelton]

The first business day after I turn 59 1/2 is my retirement day 🎉🎉

[@tedlaurvik3765]

For me it was capture that extra Winter. I retired in time to get a full ski season in. Thirteen ski days so far... Yea!

[@brindleandbay]

Sounds like a win!

[@Joeym1655]

When you dread Monday morning!

[@brindleandbay]

Funny!

[@janofb]

1) Pensions are calculated, usually, based on the interest rate December 1. I told my wife to retire on the last day of November when the low interest rate from the previous year was about to be readjusted to the new higher rate. She received $80,000 more than she would have if she retired one day later. That $80,000 was more than her annual salary allowing her to retire a year earlier than she planned. Interest rates are important for buy outs of pensions. 2)It depends, but if you retire about 5 months after your SS FRA, you'll get a bump up in monthly payments. 1-4 months after FRA, no bump. In that case, waiting from month 4 to 5 pays.

[@mrbuttons2065]

End of July - 3 reasons: 1) company bonuses go out at the end of June 2) I turn 59.5yrs old mid-July (thus, i can start taking out of my IRA) 3) I can add my vacation days to 4th of July holiday (spend out all my PTO) and max out my summer on someone else's dime.

[@ronmexico5908]

Retire when the weather is getting nice

[@brindleandbay]

For sure !

[@Shortcuts2185]

Retiring next month mid January. 29 years at my company and so grateful I had the opportunity to work that long in 1 location. Waited until I turned 55 to use the 55 rule. My wife will retire in a year and a half. Maybe I'll find some part time work to keep busy.

[@StevenKeipert]

I retired on April 1st. Somehow it just seemed appropriate.

[@brindleandbay]

Funny!

[@crazy5fingers]

Sometimes you don't get to chose. My company has been hit hard by the economy and offered and ERO plan (early retirement option) which I am taking. Originally they wanted people gone on 10/27/23 but due to projects, my last day will be 1/26/24. Before the ERO, I was seriously thinking about retiring anyways, so this was great timing, plus pushing it to Jan will help with taxes since I will get a large lumpsum severance. When you said we only have so many summers left, that really put things into perspective. How true that is...especially since as we age, what we can do during those summers becomes more and more restrictive. Happy retirement everybody!

[@markbernier8434]

Started the process when a death showed me working wasn't worth doing any more. In retrospect, I waited 5 years too long.

[@kebo57]

Unless there are prevailing reasons, I think December is the best month of the year to retire because it makes the cleanest break with your taxes, insurance, and other things such as it aligns with any changes in company benefits which you may have to change due to your retirement. Jmho.

[@brindleandbay]

Good point !

[@ddavidson5]

For me the best the to time was early May as where we live that's when the weather finally became nice enough to easily get out of the house. It seemed to me that retiring at other times wasn't conducive to making the mental shift from working to retirement. The late spring versus full on summer (too hot), fall (too much garden cleanup), or winter (too cold) seemed like the right thing to do. My wife retired June 30th the same year due to work commitments but it worked out great.

[@RRRRRR-b2s]

Come on people! It’s obvious. Independence Day is the best day to retire. 😊 That’s what I did in 2022 and it’s been a BLAST ever since!

[@sammyday3341]

The day your career feels like work is the best day to retire. I have been blessed by being paid to do my hobby. Then over a period of the past year, I lost all interest in the career I’ve loved. It suddenly was difficult to even try to fake any interest. I knew THAT was when to retire. My boss called to complain about something. I told him he just helped me make up my mind and I retired that very moment. Maybe instead of being a civil engineer on railroad projects, I’ll get into model railroading!

[@johngiesbers9811]

I retired 2 weeks after I returned from vacation due to an untenable supervisor. knowing that management does not last, I was never the less, unwilling to put up with it any longer. Didn’t care that I could have gotten a small bonus by staying another month or that I would get paid for several holidays in the next 3 months. Cutting the earnings year short means a large tax refund. And delaying social security in the new year means a lower tax bracket next year . Not to mention being off for all those holidays.

[@jimh8386]

7:53 the time between Nov 1 and Feb 28 (not exactly sure on end date). I plan to cash in about 1400 annual leave hours. If I leave at that time I can roll over my time into my 401/457 and split the income between both tax years instead of one to reduce my taxable income for the year I retire if that makes sense.

[@lauraarnold8117]

My FRA is 67 years old, which falls in June. I plan to retire then living off my retirement accounts until January when I will start social security. This is personal and financial, allowing me to pay off my mortgage and maximizing work bonuses, plus a little extra SS each month. Also I understand there is a maximum you can make your retirement year.

[@arthurthomasware5004]

Plenty of excellent tips there, Nick, for those living in the USA. Me, I'm in Aussie-land. I'm 87 and have been retired for 28 years now. It's summer year-round here. Wonder how many of those 'dots' I've got left on Planet Earth? Oh, and I do post videos on Retirement on KZbin under my full name: Arthur Thomas Ware.

[@brindleandbay]

Tom, is that what you go by? Thanks for the comment. I took a look at your channel and great job on posting authentic and helpful videos ! What better person to learn from than someone retired for 28 years ? I subscribed!

[@thelakeman5207]

I got out on May 15th so I had the whole summer ahead of me with no working! It was like a dream come true.

[@educatedwanderer9293]

I'm 55 and I have two sons in college still living at home. My plan is to reevaluate at age 60, when they will both be done with college. My employer offers health insurance to bridge from 60 to 65, so I have an option to retire at age 60 as my retirement portfolio is at goal and ready. If that doesn't work out I can make a plan at 60 to continue working until 65. I have a small pension at work that I can start at age 67 as well as taking SS at 67.

[@brindleandbay]

Sounds like a good plan!

[@jaclarkfamily]

I'm a teacher so it makes the most sense to retire at the end of a school year. I have 8 more school years left if I retire the summer I turn 65. I'm keeping an open mind and educating myself and staying aware of my husband's retirement options so we will see how it works out exactly.

[@brindleandbay]

Good idea !

[@terridrimel1056]

My husband retired from a full time schedule when he turned 65 due to his pension and Medicare starting. He still works casual, picks up shifts when he wants. I’m retiring from my schedule to go casual next April because my work insurance will run through the end of the April, and Medicare will start 5/1. Also love the idea of getting a jump on summer. :) So, for me, there are practical and emotional reasons for the date I chose.

[@brindleandbay]

I’m a big fan of getting that extra summer.

[@kimegibb]

9-26-25. Last payday of September. I will have just turned 65 & started Medicare & Social Security. I absolutely love fall! October is my favorite month of the year & planning a trip to Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@brindleandbay]

That is awesome! Congratulations

[@rayanderson3164]

Almost always a milestone. 55 is the trigger point for us and plan to walk away a few business days after that at the first of the month for pension and at 55 where I work retiree healthcare and 401k access. For me that is April of 25. Like you said, another summer off and tax planning.

[@jdedad]

I think in the grand scheme makes little difference but maybe emotionally along the lines of your theme of calm and clarity makes sense

[@brindleandbay]

Agreed

[@chacod.hastiin3775]

62 is my target date which falls in Jan. 3 weeks PTO does not kick until July, unfortunate. I will burn all sick leave. I could careless about the company I work for now and Im thinking April. I should be financially set by then, house paid off or very close to it. Possibly work PT to be busy.

[@brindleandbay]

Congrats! Hope you commemorate the big moment!

[@bobb7918]

If I retire after the first 6 mos I get a full year of service for my small pension. If you leave the first of the month I get heath coverage for the full month.

[@headbanger1967]

End of March for me. PTO gets loaded up January 1 so when they will pay those hours when I resign. I want to add as much as I can into 401K during those three months and the remaining amount I keep will have very low tax liability. Weather starts to break in Spring, plan to put home on market then or finish getting it ready to sell by summer. So many of your points hit me pretty straight on.

[@transitengineer]

Sorry, to be so late to the party but this video, just shown up on my You Tube feed. Now in my early 60's, I retired last year. Knew three (3)-years in advance the month that, I was going to retire which was in the Fall. This is because, it was after my birthday (which, gives me more pension money), after my work anniversary (which, gives me more pension money), and prior to the holiday season. With a private sector pension, a public sector pension, a 401(k), a 457 plan, personal savings, and social security .... "Life is great" (smile...smile).

[@VideoRansack]

What about retiring in the first half of the year so that one still qualifies for ACA subsidies? I don't think many of these retirement channels cover the fact that if you can keep your taxable income below ~60K that one can qualify for substantial ACA subsidies -- at least through the end of 2025.

[@brindleandbay]

Good point !

[@accudave]

I wanted to retire at age 59 1/2 but my employer needed more time to train my replacement, so I set the date for 60. I retired at the end of the month before my birthday so that I would get my first pension check on the next day. If I waited till my birthday to retire, I would have had to wait another month for my first pension check.

[@brindleandbay]

Perfect example. Congrats on your upcoming retirement.

[@mbcoco1505]

My company holds the previous years 401k distribution to the 1st week in May of the following year, 2weeks notice puts me near June 1st

[@brindleandbay]

Congrats!

[@julieg.5718]

I’ve been planning to retire sometime in the first half of 2026, before I turn 63 in July. My husband is 2 years older and is planning to retire in July 2028-when he completes the minimum required 10 years at his job to earn a $32,000/year pension. Our current combined household income will cause IRMAA surcharges UNLESS I retire in the first quarter of 2026. SO! Your video was very timely for me-after running several scenarios this morning to ensure our modified adjusted gross income will remain 10-20% below the IRMAA surcharge threshold, I will retire February 28,2026. YEA! I’ll be able to travel in March-May to see grandkids and siblings across the U.S., plus have room in tax brackets to do a ROTH conversion. Great content, thank you

[@ronloftis9080]

My company went to accruing vacation time per payroll versus the old way of accruing it at the start of the year. And as genglandoh said, age 65 when I can get on Medicare. So my birthday is in December, so I plan using up all my vacation time and retiring the following month on Jan 1st of the new year and go on Medicare.

[@brindleandbay]

Sounds like a plan!

[@paulbrinkman952]

Excellent content, well delivered. Thank you!

[@brindleandbay]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JoeBlow-fp5ng]

I disagree about not taking current stock market values or economic conditions into consideration on what day you retire. If your planned retirement date happens to occur during some new market turmoil, I'd say it's best to hold on to your job a bit, if possible, to see how it plays out. One of these market downturns might be a several years-long recovery event and it could have been problematic if you retired in October 1929 or October 2008. Or if there is another pandemic kicking off.

[@edkolly7147]

I work in healthcare in Canada no bonuses and no raises in 6 or 7 years and wanting to cut back in benefits always hiring younger healthcare workers to safe company budgets!

[@meibing4912]

Have thought about the "summer" effect too. Sadly, one of my pension plans triggers yearly increments (with SEP 1 being my "step-up"-date). Makes it hard to rationalize leaving in the Spring.

[@nickpower-fj9bu]

October with a termination payment. Tax effective and just in time for the Aussie summer…..

[@don7117]

Dec 31 2023 is my last day. Picked purely for tax purposes.

[@brindleandbay]

Congrats!

[@bradleyvanzile1111]

Retired 17 years ago

[@oleboy4332]

My last day is a Friday in 2029. 59 1/2 baby

[@brindleandbay]

Glad you have a day picked ! So many don’t.

[@fosterkhan8697]

Thankfully. Great. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@peterrogers3085]

If you retire end of September then in the uk its half way thru the tax year so your first years pension income is halfed, this may help you to retire earlier. Also you wont have to comute for that last winter. This can also save you tax.

[@vernshird711]

My last day will be 12/31/25 (retirement date is 1/1/26). I get the max annual leave payout by waiting until the end of the year. My employer allows you to defer up to 85% of your leave payout gross to your plan (401k, 457b, etc) and it gets deferred in 2026.

[@brindleandbay]

Excellent!

[@kenarthur6253]

Excellent, friendly advice. Thank you!!

[@toddbaker9922]

I am glad I found you! Timing for me is based on my Federal Pension availability. Psychologically, I do need to separate from employer to take care of family members and myself. Added bonus, I am done mid-May 2024, which does indeed give me the summer for enjoyment as well as time to do tax planning.

[@brindleandbay]

Welcome aboard! And, congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

[@janibeg3247]

hmmm.... i retired on May 1st. a few years ago

[@bluegillmich]

I am leaning towards early february (Its real winter in my parts), and to your point maybe i can front load my company match ( my companies match re starts 1 oct- i bet i could be done by 1 february)...

[@brindleandbay]

Doesn’t hurt to ask!

[@triciabrown1462]

If you have a flex spending account, my understanding is you can use your entire annual contribution right after it resets (usually January 1st). Even if you leave your job right after using it all, you don’t need to pay it back. It’s prorated to come out of every paycheck, but if you’re no longer there, you won’t owe the balance as a lump sum. An HR person told me that several years ago. It might’ve changed, but I haven’t heard that it did.

[@brindleandbay]

Thanks for adding to the conversation!

[@dancurran8977]

I retired at the end of May this year so my income would still be small enough to qualify for a good subsidy with Covered California (ACA).

[@brindleandbay]

Congrats!

[@Someguy055]

If you are financially able, the best time to retire is yesterday.

[@rosemarykingpate7832]

I thought I was the only one who put retiring in time for summer as my #1 priority. I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), so retiring at the end of the year in Winter would not be good for my mental health.

[@markg5077]

12/31 is my last day. Turn 65 at yhe beginning of the month but having worked all year there are no tax benefits to leaving before that

[@peggyowens5475]

Great points !!

[@brindleandbay]

Thank you !

[@Moochie79]

"Retire in the first half of the year so you get that extra summer and more tax planning" - I totally agree!

[@choosetoshine2610]

Excellent content! New subscriber! ❤🎉❤

[@brindleandbay]

Welcome aboard!

[@jenbo6793]

So I started Dec 24, 1994...29 yrs later my last day will be Dec 31st. Nick I just watched your video. You said mid year? I wanted to complete my 29 yrs. And start the New Year as a retiree. Your thought? Thx...

[@joeredman9354]

I figured out that if I quit in July, I'll get 85% of my SS. I'll still get to enjoy summer too...

[@genglandoh]

I would add another milestone. When you and your spouse can signup for Medicare. My wife turns 65 in June 2024 so that is my date to retire.

[@brindleandbay]

Yes!

[@FrankBatistaElJibaro]

Very informative, thanks for the video.

[@ansonhibbard3339]

Concerning Social Security Is there a better time to finish a quarter or year?

[@tedjohnson4451]

I'm retiring August 9th, 2024 when my Pension & Social Security reaches 100% Replacement Income. I'll need to delay Social Security by two months so my Severance Checks don't collide with Social Security & cause an Overpayment.

[@brindleandbay]

Congrats!

[@benalfredo]

I'm 57 and want to retire in 6 months, i have a $40k annuity, plus a 401k depleted to $200k of money that i'm not sure what i can do with at this point, My retirement plans seems to be out the window, is it a good idea to get professional help?

[@tailgunnerhikes4703]

Surprised birthdate was not mentioned as a factor. Due to a series of unfortunate events, I need to maximize social security, meaning working until my 70th birthday. Also, is it correct for those working past full retirement age that the SS bump up occurs in January? (Meaning one would not want to retire between their birthdate and end of year to avoid losing that increase.)

[@brindleandbay]

Good point ! And… you might be referring to the COLA and you won’t miss out on that.

[@steves3234]

For it was my company offered me a retirement buy out so this April 30th 2024

[@brindleandbay]

Congratulations!

[@keithmcphail1152]

1st half of the year / before beginning of June / lump sum, not annuity

[@brindleandbay]

That’s my preference

[@goose-F16]

its the day that my employer hits the 401k limits for the year on their match, and I have maxed mine out.. that hits in august.. see ya!

[@corwingibbs922]

I live in Florida. Retire in April, go to Ohio in the spring, leave Ohio before it gets cold again. 😮

[@mallardcutter7209]

I’ll max out my 401k for the last time. Take eight weeks of vacation plus 6 holidays/personal days , Retire on my 60th birthday on June 12. My last working day will be sometime around the end of March. I could leave in Dec of the year before but I’ll hang around and collect my bonus

[@DeadShallows]

If you can cash out unused annual leave, December 31st is the best time.

[@rayanderson3164]

ASAP is always best

[@randymillhouse791]

YES: After a major F up. But seriously, 3:47: Something I never have heard of. Great vid!

[@brindleandbay]

Thanks for watching!

[@charlesbarker5546]

first half of the year

[@TsterMr63]

My pension kicks on my 62nd birthday, so I'll retire at the end of that month.

[@nimblefred2932]

I'll turn 59 1/2 in the month of April

[@ColdPotato]

My goal is 53. Maybe a bit more or less. That would put me at 30 years in 'tech' and I want free time before my body betrays me.

[@brindleandbay]

For sure!

[@suespony]

Want to stop as soon as I can convince my spouse, she was supposed to be done now, then decided to wait until end of 2024, 😢

[@brindleandbay]

That’s more common than you’d think. Hope she gets to retire 2024 fingers crossed.

[@mikeshaw4610]

Mine is easy. When I can start collecting Medicare.

[@kludgedude]

After you get your bonus

[@eltigre5469]

I’m out at 60. End of story. 🎉

[@jefferyzimmerly7362]

Whenever you pay everything off

[@backcountyrpilot]

I sold my business at 46 and retired. I do not recommend this for a man. Work is a man’s purpose.

[@brindleandbay]

Good point ! What did you do to find purpose after work?

[@HaNguyen-dy6xq]

Best day to retire: Yesterday

[@TheFirstRealChewy]

These are all events, not time of the year.