Regarding points 3 and 4, what I have in mind is something like a Maslowe's hierarchy of needs. Financial security is one component of happiness, but relationships and self-actualization are also essential. ThriftyGal even says one of her main concerns is dying alone. I can empathize with TG because I followed a similar path and even "retired' with no definite plans of returning to work (but did after a year).
It seems to me a common theme among ambitious people is to follow a certain path in school, achieving all the goals they set for themselves, then again in their first careers, only to realize they are still unhappy. People like TG can make it into their early 30s without ever really choosing much for themselves. They went to the best college that admitted them, the best law school, the best law firm, etc. They've been doing what they were told basically their entire lives, following in the footsteps of others.
It can be very tricky to navigate the transition from a well-trodden career path to a life that you have actively chosen. This is what I mean by point 3. I don't view her goal as retirement, but to try to figure out how she can reclaim control of her life. I don't mean to be the IRP, but I think the distinction is important, as it confronts many others in her situation, even those without $700K in the bank.
A second transition is moving from the wage-earning class to the investor class. On this front, she is doing well for her age, but if she plans to start a family, I suspect she'll need far more than $700K, especially given her young age and the low yields on investments today. Like her, I initially planned to retire with about $700K, but starting a family totally blew a hole in my budget.
