The importance of saving 15% of gross income early

[MonkeyMama]

Petunia, Money Mustache dropped health insurance entirely. I don't remember exactly when. Probably in 2019 or 2020.

[kork13]

I think Mr M leaves an important factor out. A lot of people don't consider if you do the military retiring at 42 with 20 years and 50% is probably enough for most mustachians. But it means staying 20 years instead of 7 years like him.

That's a large chunk of my plan at this point... Assuming I stay in the next 7 years to hit my 20, I'll earn 50% of my base pay, and DW (medically retired after 6.5 yrs) is already receiving 30% of her previous income (and 99% of that is tax free). Both of those should equate to about $65k (today's dollars), sufficient to live on by living relatively frugally, so our savings and future income are almost completely gravy (enjoyment/comfort spending).

This kinda goes back to demonstrate your other thread about SS being enough... When pensions were common, SS + pension is totally sufficient. Without pensions, people have to save in 401k/IRA to cover what pensions would have.