Retired Before 50: A Look at Her Real Finances, Numbers & Strategy | Andy Panko Crossover | 186
Dec 24, 2025
Catching Up to FI co-host, Jackie Cummings Koski crosses over to Andy Panko's 'Retirement Planning Education' podcast for a funny, deeply practical masterclass on what FIRE really is (and what it isn't). Jackie is single-mom late-starter, FIRE for Dummies author, and "I retired but I'm still busy" money nerd. She rewinds her journey of retiring before 50 and walks Andy (and listeners) through:
- How she hit a ~$1M FI number with ~$40K annual spending
- Managing healthcare premiums by understanding how ACA subsidies really work
- Tapping her pre-tax IRA before 59.5 using 72(t) without blowing herself up
- Qualifying for ex-spouse Social Security benefits
- Medical tourism in Bali funded by her HSA
- Why most 401(k) menus are quietly sabotaging regular people
They finish with Jackie's second act: two books, a CFP, a master's in financial planning & financial therapy, and co-hosting Catching Up to FI to help late starters realize it's not too late.
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