It's been very interesting reading through this post - I turn 59 this month, I'm hoping to retire at 63, so I know it's important to be planning now. As many of you have said the insurance issue is a huge consideration, is it still as much of an issue now with OBAMA CARE? A friend of mine retired a few years ago at 62 - his insurance was huge at $600 something a month (high deductible too) the plan wasn't available after OBAMA CARE so he needed to shop around for new, and has a "slightly" better plan for $350... I work as a Nursing Assistant and can't imagine going past 63, if I still had an office / management job things would be different, but that's how life goes!