55-Year-Old Developer Faces AI and Early Retirement

Retiring at 55 requires a 5.4% withdrawal rate, far above the 3.5% safe threshold for a 40-year retirement, risking portfolio depletion before Social Security at 67. Pre-Medicare healthcare can cost $30,000 annually, and drawing from taxable accounts can eliminate ACA subsidies. Transitioning to part-time consulting lets developers preserve income while their portfolio compounds.