I am 40 years old, I would have 8.5 million. USD and I want to retire early but my in-laws think it’s immoral – what should I do?

The Redditor worked hard to amass a fortune of $8.5 million by the age of 40. He also has a $4 million property with a $500,000 mortgage and rental property. He feels burned out at work and wants to retire when he reaches $10 million in net worth. He expects to earn $1.5-2.0 million over the next two years.

While retirement is financially feasible, the Redditor’s spouse and in-laws believe early retirement is immoral. This belief may come from religious teachings. In the Christian New Testament, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 says, “For even when we were with you, we gave you a rule: ‘He who will not work shall not eat.'” In Sikhism, the principle of Kirat Karo (work honestly and diligently) is the main teaching: “earn honestly and do not waste life, do not waste life.”

Apart from possible religious beliefs, this stance was partly inspired by the father-in-law’s background; he started from nothing and accumulated 20 million with his business. The spouse wants to get involved in the father’s business, and the Redditor wants no part.

He shared the details in this Reddit post. I’ll share a few thoughts, but it’s always good to talk to a financial advisor if possible.

This entry was updated in 2025. November 10 to include various religious texts that consider the lack of work immoral.

Key points

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It doesn’t seem like money

We don’t have all the details in this post, but it’s safe to assume money isn’t an issue. The Redditor has a net worth of $8.5 million. $340,000 a year before taxes at 4% withdrawals. While the Redditor’s spouse mentioned that it’s possible the market will crash, a 50% drop still leaves 4.25 million. USD portfolio. In addition, the portfolio may continue to grow over time.

The spouse also makes a lot of money, $250,000 to $300,000 a year, but also feels burned out at his job. Ultimately, she wants to take up the family business and the wife may not have any brothers or sisters. In other words, she is the only family member who can continue the business after her parents pass on the mantle.

The couple may also consider moving to an area with a lower cost of living to further stretch their money. However, this scenario seems highly unlikely for a family business. The spouse is unlikely to move to an area far away from her parents, and the business may be local, meaning they are committed to the location of the business.

A couple can work more flexibly

A good compromise can be a couple working a more flexible job instead of choosing an overworked career. They have the financial flexibility to make these types of decisions without completely leaving the workforce.

Part-time work or telecommuting may be viable solutions. This path is likely to result in less income, but this path can reduce stress and still give the couple something to do. A couple may want to join local groups in their area based on their interests. Doing so can help them appreciate what life might be like if they didn’t work as often.

Plan what life could look like

The Redditor knows they can CLOSE, but the spouse doesn’t want them to stop working. It could be that she is thinking about what they stand to lose by quitting without thinking about what they stand to gain.

After retirement, it is easier for a couple to go on vacation, spend more time with loved ones, and enjoy a slower pace of life. They both seem burnt out and need better schedules. One Redditor commented on the post and recommended that the couple read Die With Zero. The book is a fan favorite among the Chubby FIRE and Fat FIRE subreddit groups.

Ask your wife what she would like to do more if work weren’t an obstacle, and help her envision the life of her dreams without the long hours. Even with this exercise, you don’t have to retire right away. While the couple could retire straight away, opting for a more flexible job can be the best of both worlds. Everyone is still working, so the spouse and her parents will be happy, and a better work-life balance can help the husband feel happier.