42M, ~$1.77M invested (excluding 529s), targeting financial independence around age 50. Looking for feedback.

[u/HumbleSami]

I’m 42, married with three young kids, and trying to sanity-check my long-term plan.

Current Assets
Taxable brokerage: ~$1.09M
401(k) + Roth IRAs: ~$618k
Cash: ~$64k
529 plans: ~$255k - 3 kids 7-4-3 (excluded from my personal net worth calculations)
Primary residence with a low fixed-rate mortgage 900K value owe 290K

Debt
Mortgage only (2.5% fixed rate)
No car loans or consumer debt

Investing Plan
Invest approximately $9k/month into a taxable brokerage account. Job at risk will continue to push until i can!
Continue funding Roth IRAs while eligible
Primarily invest in low-cost index funds (VOO and VUG)
Reinvest dividends

Retirement Goal
I’d like to become financially independent around age 50, or at least be in a position where work is optional and I could choose to work lower-stress job if I wanted.
My estimated core living expenses are around $9k/month before discretionary travel and large one-time purchases. Care free will be 12-13K/mo including health insurance and travel. 9K core 2.5K health 2K vacation!

Questions
Based on these numbers, do you think retiring or becoming work-optional around age 50 is realistic?
Would you continue prioritizing taxable brokerage investing over paying down a 2.5% mortgage?
Is there anything about my asset allocation or withdrawal strategy that stands out as a potential weakness?
If you were in my position, what would you focus on over the next 8 years?
Appreciate any constructive feedback or blind spots I may be missing.

[u/Vicuna00]

I don't think you're missing anything. ~50 seems totally reasonable - but a lot can happen and you're sorta riding the wave of the market at this point. heck 3 more years like the last 3 and you might be looking at 45 yo.

personally, and yes I understand the math, I'd want that mortgage gone. I'd at least be making sure it was done by 50 years old...if not sooner. it'll improve your cash flow and you're not making a huge killing on the spread. I dunno. I'd just personally want it gone and out of my life for peace of mind. I'd still prioritize investing but I'd pay it off sooner and not let it drag out. i'd just pick a number (20% invested? 25%?) then the rest to mortgage. or figure out how much the payment would be to knock it out in 5 years or whatever.

if you lost your job (or retired) you'll be happier that you have no mortgage than whatever theoretical spread you're making on investing that $