Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger Can I Retire in 18 Months?
14 snips
Mar 19, 2026 CJ, a caller from Wisconsin considering a career downshift after a long career, shares his finances, property and pension. They discuss timing a move to part-time work, using a 457 and cash reserves, housing and construction loan complications, college and healthcare costs, rental and vacant land options, and contingency plans like selling property.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Pilot A Part-Time Transition Before Full Retirement
- Do plan a part-time transition instead of an immediate full stop when you're burned out.
- CJ, age 50, can reduce work hours now and test a lower-stress routine while preserving household income from his wife who earns ~$100k.
Family Timing Adds College Costs To Transition Plan
- CJ is 50 with three kids: one launched, one in college, one in high school, and 529 plans are roughly 75% funded.
- This family timing makes his 18-month plan coincide with ongoing college costs.
Use Pre-Tax Savings As A Deliberate Bridge
- Insight: A large pre-tax nest egg can act as a deliberate short-term income bridge before pension and Social Security start.
- CJ has about $1.4M pre-tax and $800k in a 457 that can be drawn to fill income gaps until age 55.
