Decisions
Can a break right now still land your FI Age?
- Run it through PeakWorth
- See the Life Impact
- Apply to your plan
Time off
Length and timing of the break
Time to save before leaving
Burn rate
What life costs while off
Often 70–90% of normal — less commute, more lifestyle.
COBRA ~$700/mo single, marketplace bronze ~$400–600.
Travel deposits, gear, transition.
Funding sources
What you can draw on
Set $0 if you'd rather not sell.
Cash you keep untouched even during the break.
Re-entry
Income on the other side
Career re-entry at 0% lower pay = $0/yr less in take-home for the projection.
Projection assumptions
The rates the engine uses to model your time off.
Affordability check
Can your savings actually carry the break.
Sabbatical cost
$34,200
6 months × $5,200/mo + setup
Out of reach in current window
$14,200 short
Even at full surplus, the window is too tight
Cash + brokerage − emergency floor
From current take-home minus expenses
For 12 months until departure
IRMAA tier shifts Tier 1 → Standard based on Medicare's 2-year MAGI lookback. Surcharges drop by $1,148/yr in two years.
Out of reach in this window. Even saving every available dollar ($0/mo for 12 months) leaves a gap of $14,200. Push the start date, shorten the break, or trim the burn rate.
Long-term cost
Net worth at year 15
Status quo
$63,711
No break, no haircut
With sabbatical
$4,542
93% behind status quo
A break of this size typically pushes the FI date by 13.9–20.9 years for comparable savers.
Year-by-year
Combined liquid + retirement
| Year | Status quo | Sabbatical path | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $36,426 | $36,426 | +$0 |
| 2 | $37,910 | $2,703 | -$35,207 |
| 3 | $39,455 | $2,813 | -$36,642 |
| 4 | $41,062 | $2,927 | -$38,135 |
| 5 | $42,735 | $3,046 | -$39,689 |
| 6 | $44,476 | $3,171 | -$41,305 |
| 7 | $46,288 | $3,300 | -$42,988 |
| 8 | $48,174 | $3,434 | -$44,740 |
| 9 | $50,137 | $3,574 | -$46,563 |
| 10 | $52,179 | $3,720 | -$48,459 |
| 11 | $54,305 | $3,871 | -$50,434 |
| 12 | $56,517 | $4,029 | -$52,488 |
| 13 | $58,820 | $4,193 | -$54,627 |
| 14 | $61,217 | $4,364 | -$56,853 |
| 15 | $63,711 | $4,542 | -$59,169 |
Before you book the time off
The re-entry haircut is the silent cost — plan for it.
Healthcare assumes single-coverage COBRA or marketplace pricing — if a partner can carry you, set it to $0. And the re-entry haircut compounds: even a 10% drop costs you 10% of every future raise's base.
Build your wealth. Optimize your life.
Educational projections only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a licensed professional before major decisions. Read full disclosures