IDK, $500K - $1+M depending on what/how much you fly seems like a decent "catch up".

If your expenses are "zero", and you don't pay taxes, sure. Although a million ain't what is used to be. Flying premium time at that age seems depressing beyond belief.

But if you were in that situation already (Zero debt, tax write offs due to numerous rentals, small business ownerships, etc), you wouldn't be in this scenario at age 65 anyway.

You can't stop smoking with a Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis and hope to survive.

Retirement is the same way. It takes decades of living below your means.

"The "D**do" of consequences for your actions rarely arrives lubed."

If you didn't save enough by now, you're not magically going to become financially responsible in the next two years.

Um, pretty sure you read WAY too much into what I posted. The argument being floated is we don’t get SS until 67 and we are forced to retire. I merely pointed out that the other 2 jobs used as an example of others being forced to retire had pensions.

I’m here because I like my money in my own name. And I don’t plan on being here at 65, much less 67. And neither do I support it.

Take your condescending boohoo and shove it.

SS is not a retirement plan. The old age insurance afforded through SS was originally set for an age beyond life expectancy.

Sorry, didn't mean to be condescending or direct it towards you. I'm just sick off this min balance discussion. My bad though.

Like most of you I’m opposed.

The facts are that the pilot pool is not adequate.

By summer Delta and United will be hiring 1500 hour pilots.

Tier 2 carriers will be unable to grow and some will have to shrink.

Delta is printing money and will grow as fast as possible. United is growing twice as fast.

The regionals are in a free fall and service to small towns will suffer in a big way. Guess who they complain to?

Cities like Toledo, Ohio have completely lost commercial air service.

Congress has no choice but to raise the age.

Air traffic controllers are required to retire by federal law by the age of 56. There are exceptions for those hired before a certain years depending on whether they were dot, dod, or fss. There is also an exemption they can apply for to work until 61 but I’ve never heard of that happening from the few friends I have that are ATC. They can retire with their pension at the age of 50 if and 20 years of service or 25 years of service at any age.

Their pension is 1.7% for the first 20 years plus 1% for thereafter of their high 3. They are required to partially fund that pension at 1.3% but they do get a retirement supplement that approximates their social security until they reach 62. They do get a year COLA.

They also get a 5% match into their TSP.

And then what? They raise it, and in 2 years… do it again?

You have expenses whether you're retired or not. In one instance you have no income, in the other you have an extra $500K - $1+M.

Taxes sure, you're also collecting DC and getting medical insurance.

There are all kinds of reasons to not fly to 67, the money is not one of them.