[USER]

I’m turning 55 in a couple months. I’m married and we have 2 children. Son is a rising junior in high school and daughter is a rising sophomore in college.

My daughter is in the 3+4 undergrad and dental school. So far, we used her 529 and prepaid 529 college to cover her room and board expenses (she received merits and scholarships to cover tuition and fees).

My husband doesn’t plan to retire for another 17 years while I daydream retiring at 55 but I can’t until both of my kids finish their schools…I’ll be 65.

I would like to help my kids to borrow as little as possible but I don’t know how much longer I truly want to continue working.

I don’t find my work enjoyable or meaningful anymore.

Should I bite the bullet and hang in there for another 10 years or retire at 55 and let them do whatever they need to do to pay for their schools?

I’m sorry for the long rant.

[Rebecca]

Hello friend! Same boat here. Husband wants me working to load up our retirement accounts and I’m like, I’m gonna be dead before I can use them.

Financial planner says I can actually retire but husband has to work til 65 because the health insurance will suck the wind out of our sails.

I told my kids that grampy’s inheritance will hopefully cover most of their debt, but until then they can stay home to pay it off.

[Amanda]

My dad retired while I was in high school and I actually qualified for more aid because on paper his income went down.

[Jessica]

Retire! Life is too short to be miserable for another 10 years

[Susan]

What about a compromise? You cover them for 4 years, but grad school is on their own dime.

[Stefan]

No need to apologize—this is such a heartfelt and relatable place to be.

You’ve clearly worked hard and planned wisely, and it’s completely understandable to feel torn between your desire to step back and your wish to support your kids.

The truth is, you don’t have to choose one extreme or the other. Instead of biting the bullet for 10 more years, consider a phased approach: could you reduce hours, switch to part-time, or transition into something less draining?

That could give you more freedom without fully stepping away from income.

Your daughter already has a strong foundation with scholarships and 529s, and your son still has time for strategic planning—grants, scholarships, in-state tuition, even community college transfers if needed.

Helping your kids is noble, but your well-being matters too.

Modeling a healthy work-life balance might just be the most valuable gift you give them.

[Author]

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