Filip Telibasa, certified financial planner (CFP) and owner of Benzina Wealth, said that behind the scenes, early retirees tend to be very intentional about protecting their financial stability. That includes building in safeguards like insurance coverage, long-term healthcare planning well before Medicare eligibility age, and a solid estate plan.

“These aren’t flashy topics,” Telibasa said, “but they’re critical for staying retired once you get there.”

Without those protections, even the best-laid early retirement plan can quickly fall apart.