u/Same_Bug5069

For the govfire people who either retired overseas or seriously considered it, did any of you decide the extra years for FEHB just weren’t worth it?

We already know we want to retire overseas either way. Right now the plan is to stay until around 50 because that should maximize our investments pretty substantially, and ideally both kids will be through college by then with us covering most or all of it. Beyond that though, I keep questioning whether staying all the way until MRA + 30 actually makes sense for us.

I understand the value of FEHB and the immediate pension, but healthcare costs in many countries overseas are dramatically lower than in the US, so it feels like the calculation changes a bit compared to retiring stateside.

At some point it starts feeling less like a math problem and more like weighing healthy years versus additional security. Curious how others approached that decision, especially people who retired abroad and walked away from the "golden handcuffs."

I don't normally do the email signature quote thing, but whenever I get an email that has a quote in the signature, I always include this one in my signature for the response. I don't know if anyone notices, I just do it to entertain myself mostly.

Anyway, have a most excellent day.