Is retiring early an option?

Early retirement can come with several serious risks.

- Hardi Swart

Over the years, I have engaged with many people nearing retirement. A frequent question is: "When can I afford to retire?" or "Can I afford an early retirement?" While the idea of retiring early is appealing to many in South Africa, the reality is that early retirement can pose significant risks to your financial security.

Here are some reasons why early retirement is likely a bad idea in SA and how it can impact your financial well-being.

1. Longer retirement period

Retiring early means you will need to fund a longer retirement period. If you retire at 55 instead of 65, you will need to provide for an additional 10 years without earning an income.

This can put immense pressure on your retirement savings as you will need to stretch your funds over a longer period. Assuming you need R50 000 a month (R600 000 a year) with an annual growth rate of 9% and inflation of 6%, you will require about R18 million to retire at 55 and sustain your lifestyle until go. If you retire at 65, you will need about R12 million for the same period.

2. Reduced pension and retirement benefits

Early retirement often means reduced pension and retirement benefits. In SA, the value of your pension is typically based on your years of service and contributions. Retiring early means fewer years of contributions and a smaller pension.