I’ll posit the majority of Americans retire into slow go years directly, sadly…I was thinking about it more from the financial planning community’s standpoint that use these three phases of retirement, and tie it in with the “spending smile”.
I honestly think demographics, background, and fitness levels have to be factored.
The sad reality is many folks see illness of some sort in their 50s (the four horseman - I must finish the ‘lifepan’ book! - : cancer, heart disease, diabetes, neuro degenerative disease). I have seen each of these, except Nuero hit my family or my wife’s family more than once in their 50s/60s.
I’d count go go years between 65-75 as the stretch goal and not the norm. Watty has some good thoughts on his experiences too.
If the majority of Americans are not retiring before age 61, it’s hard for me to imagine the first phase known as the Go-Go phase as starting at age 50 when it comes to their retirement spending.
CyclingDuo
I don’t have data to prove this, just my gut feel.
Statistics: Posted by Wannaretireearly — Thu Dec 04, 2025 12:52 am — Replies 60 — Views 8838