So today, easily "THE" best engineer at my company retired, at 51.
Great guy, clearly an LII. What was his secret? Living a relatively frugal lifestyle, and NO KIDS!
His plans: Says he's going to work with old people at senior centers, work with kids maybe in high school and try to encourage them to go into math and the sciences. Maybe do a little consulting work on the side part-time here and there, do a little traveling, but most of all relax and enjoy life. Sounds nice.
He's married but I guess neither of them wanted kids. His wife used to be an engineer too but she quit about 10 years ago. He had actually "retired" at that same time before and took a year off, but my company lured him back with the promise of some new and super exciting work which is now pretty much done, so he's decided he's had enough.
Most everybody at work has kids. Love them to death, but they're also such a financial burden. So lots of us at work are quite jealous, but could you really give up having a family or the kids and family you already know? Man oh man, talk about lifestyle choices.