In having a conversation with my Mr. this morning, we both realized we're having a hard time grasping how the tax-advantaged accounts factor in our FI calculation. Mostly, we've got joint investing in Vanguard, and then we each have our own 401K and I have a Roth IRA. When we're crunching the numbers, we keep visualizing not being able to touch ANY of the 401k money until after 65. If this is the case, why wouldn't you calculate a FI goal for living from age ~30 to 65, and then have the second 'stage' hit at 65 when you can easily access your tax advantaged accounts?
Is this a gamble? Is converting portions of your 401k to an IRA and waiting 5 years enough of a benefit that the tax implications don't eat away at it?
I think I might be complicating more than necessary. Really just having a hard time conceptualizing...