I too am 50 and was in the exact same boat! I pulled the plug on June 30th, 2016 to live a less expensive but healthy life...by leaving the stress behind. So far I have no regrets at all!!! I am optimistic for this market but if it goes south I may be forced to rejoin the workforce. However, to me, it is worth the risk. My simple house is paid for and I don't require a flashy car...so no payments on anything. Hang in there and best of luck.
This is crazy we are in 10s there will come a day when we will say:
Confucius Say:
- without our heath we have NOTHING - I agree and think you have a very healthy outlook in your life and that's not easy in a society that lure's everyone to the chains of debt and tries to supersize all your meals. My health is my biggest concern when I think about retiring. (58 now) What good is all the work if I don't get to enjoy it in the end. You sound like me probably started working early in life and have never let up