Early retirees need $3 million invested plus a $550,000 home to sustain withdrawals before Social Security at 67.
Retiring at 59 on Florida’s Gulf Coast demands a $3 million investment portfolio and a $550,000 paid-off home, with withdrawals at 3.4% until Social Security begins at 67. Insurance costs, including wind, flood, and homeowners coverage, can erode $500,000 over 30 years, posing the largest financial risk to early retirement plans.
Florida’s cost of living index now stands at 103.414, exceeding the national baseline and surpassing neighboring states like Georgia and North Carolina. Housing prices in coastal markets such as Sarasota and Naples reflect resort-level valuations, with modest homes or condos ranging from $525,000 to $650,000. The Case-Shiller national index recently hit 335.1, its highest level in the past year.
Zero state income tax and 4.63% Treasury yields improve the feasibility of a 5-7 year spending bridge, though rising insurance premiums remain a critical challenge.