Build up post-tax -OR- take advantage of catch-up contributions?

[pdxvandal]

I turn 50 next month (boo), which means I can take advantage of the IRA catch-up contributions (yay?) via my work's retirement plan in 2025. Have others at a similar age taken advantage of that, or preferred to build up post-tax brokerage/cash accounts? This would be in anticipation of full FIRE in late 2026/early 2027. As of now, I have about $60k in post-tax brokerage, $225k in Roth ($100k contributions) and $300k in a pre-tax 457 plan, which are all accounts I plan to tap into whenever the plug's pulled. The rest of my other 'stache is in pre-tax retirement accounts.

My pre-tax space is pretty good at about $70,000 which includes an HSA. Maxing out Roth and everything else pre-tax w/ catch-up makes my overall cash flow a bit more challenging. Is it even worth it to invest the extra $7,500 in catch-up contributions, or focus more on post-tax, in this potential final full year of work at 50? And all the while, trying to spend more money than usual on experiences for my family before final child is launched in a few years. Just trying not to overthink this first-world problem.

[bacchi]

What is your annual spend once ER? Is $460k (60+100+300) enough to bridge the gap until you can withdraw from pre-tax without penalty?

[pdxvandal]

ER spend will be around $90k annually. I plan to do some Roth conversions, or as a final option, SEPP 72T if needed, to fill any gaps. I also will be earning $15k-$20k each year while "retired."

[Askel]

I do pretax just enough to keep us in the 12% tax bracket (HSA, 403b, 457) and anything extra I have at the end of the year goes into a post tax account.   We're not super far into the 22% tax bracket so I've yet to exceed the Roth limits beyond that.    I believe that we're exempt from capital gains taxes if we stay in the 12% bracket, so would probably look into a taxable account after that.