I think retirement is a pipe dream...

I guess I'm living the pipe dream then....Seriously though, my wife and I planned for it shortly after we got married. The key is to try to minimize debt and maximize annuity type disciplined, consistent investing and of course, max out your 401k to the extent possible.....and then there is perhaps the most significant factor.....just plain luck.....we were very lucky in that we had no major income altering expenses (long term illness, any type of liability, major house repair/updates that require loans, etc).....We were both able to retire at 56, and it's even better than I thought it would be....like I said we have been extremely fortunate, and I never take that for granted....