What is the best way you see yourselves preparing for retirement?
I plan to die young.
Ha ha. Don't count on it. Prepare for the worst and wish for the best. Sounds like you've been smart.
I live far beneath my means and currently save over fifty percent/year of wages with the intent of using those funds for retirement. (I am a bit of a miser: line dray clothes, repair my own car, (walked and mas transit to get to work without car while waiting for parts) etc).
In my life I have only taken out one loan (for my house) and paid it off in less then five years. (Helped to having fifty percent down). I have been completely debt free for many years, have a lame 401K, many retirement CD's, and two stock/bonds investment accounts. To survive, I plan to work another thirteen+ years but I am apprehensive about having enough funds to live in my current house. Although currently healthy, I anticipate monthly health insurance exceeding $1,200/month by the time I retire. A co-worker retired and was paying $990/month for health insurance. The thought of borrowing a few hundred thousands from a reverse mortgage is a scary option that I no not wish to undertake.
I lived below my means, saving and investing much. I have also done my best to eat right and exercise so that I'll hopefully have the health to enjoy retirement. I could retire in as little as 8 months. Less if this reorganization post merger offers me an earlier window.
I retired at age 60. I prepared for retirement. I have a pension from my former employer, and Social Security. I purchased savings bonds throughout my working life, started an IRA years ago and invested in a Stock Plan. My house and automobile are debt free. I exercised and took good care of my health.