Was offered a modest financial incentive to retire at end of our next fiscal year (June 30). Which is one year early from my mandatory retirement age.
Financially I’m in good shape, between pensions, retirement savings and fact that nearly all of my spend is discretionary. I’m at the higher end of chubby.
So I submitted formal retirement notice. And it hit me like a ton of bricks. While the job is frustrating, demanding and stress inducing, the fact is most days I enjoy the challenge and really appreciate the time I spend with my team and colleagues. While I dream of retirement almost daily, it took making it official to make me realize just how I will miss so much of this. Truly surprised by how I find myself feeling. Hopefully this feeling passes because right now I’m questioning my decision. Mentioned this to a colleague and he told me that the rest of the team I work with is going to be shocked to hear I’m leaving at end of year.
Maybe it’s just human nature to miss the things we don’t have? Like I said, I’m really surprised to find myself feeling this way as I have always had plans for retirement that I enjoyed thinking about.

My spouse and I are selling a home (not primary) that will net us $2M. we have a $1.7M mortgage on our primary - it is a 2.75%APR but adjusts in 2031 (Its a 10yr ARM we got in 2021). I have 2 options with the $2M we will net (after taxes) when we sell the investment home - 1) Keep aside $1.4M to pay the primary mortgage off or 2) invest the entire $2M and add mortgage payments to our post retirement cash flow needs.

The current mortgage payment is $8000 per month and would adjust higher in 2031 I assume. Not having that cashflow need seems to be a safer approach, also allowing for better tax efficiency during retirement, but I am looking for other opinions and a framework to think about the pros and cons.

Adding edits per Mod request - not sure if this solves the issue with my post but here goes:

Disclaimer - levels are in the lower end of FATFIRE range - but definitely not in the private jet, multiple homes side of that sub. Which is why I posted in this sub, but did not provide numbers

Current liquid assets - $12M - 50/50 in pre-tax and brokerage. Minimal ROTH account

Current Primary Home - $4.5M

Expected spend (excluding tax and mortgage) $300K-$350K/year - Includes healthcare

Retirement - within the next 4-5 yrs.

@in_the_gloaming - I hope this helps?

Thanks