I think retirement is a pipe dream...

There are so many great responses in this thread.

I know what got me to the "ain't gonna be able to retire" place I am in now. I was doing well with saving and planning and all of that until that major health issue that many of you remember. We did all of the right things for the most part, but there were tens of thousands of dollars of things not covered by insurance or the drug company. And that is where many people today are - they are all good up until someone in the family has a major health problem. And many, unlike me, are never able to work another day in their lives.

I am happy to be here.

We've started talking about the not-retiring and perhaps living a bit more like we are retired because we understand quite clearly that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Not go hog wild, but do some of the things many folks put off until they don't have to clock in. The discussion is ongoing but in our hearts, we know the math of dumping as much into savings/retirement accounts may not be the best plan at this point. I do have a very modest 401k and I will not take SS until I absolutely have to (if it is still there when I am ready and I'll be drawing the max). Bleu Wife is very much on the fence about this and thinks we should dump every spare dollar into savings.

So, we shall see.