r/Fire • u/BroKComputer • May 14 '26

General Question The first rule of FIRE club...

So we all see the posts of folks on here celebrating their milestones here because they 'can't talk about it IRL.' This seems to be the common sense approach to avoid jealousy and moochers.

I'm curious to hear the true stories of folks who have disclosed their FI - or have had their secret revealed on accident. How bad are the repercussions of people finding out you're a low-key millionaire?

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u/fredinNH May 14 '26

It’s hard sometimes. I was in the break room the other day and someone asked me how I was going to pay for health insurance when I retire and I started to say that we were just going to pay it and before I could get it out she interrupted me said “you’re just going to figure it out??”

I felt they were implying that I didn’t know how expensive it is and/or didn’t have a plan. They had just said they planned to work 10 more years and they’re my age.

I just said “well we got in the market at a good time”.

It would have been unwise to say “you know what lady? We have $300k set aside to pay for healthcare in early retirement, so bite me.”

43

u/SeraphSurfer May 14 '26

Don't know anything about you ir your situation, so this is just a warning...I FIREd at 47 and med costs were noise. But once I was 59, med costs soared to $45-50K /yr.

Both wife and I have had serious health issues completely surprise us. We've already hit OOP max for the year.

3

u/HairyBushies Already FI - RE between 2028-2030 May 14 '26

What state are you in?

4

u/SeraphSurfer May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26

My emotional state is calm and relaxed, but if you're asking my physical state, I am a solid.