Decision 2 · Week 2 · Wed Nov 11
What do you lose when you stop working, besides the paycheck?
SHORT ANSWERStructure, a reason to get up, a network that brings opportunities, and in the US, employer health coverage before Medicare starts at 65.
Health coverage is the big money item. If you stop working before 65 you need a bridge. COBRA usually lets you keep your job's plan for up to 18 months, but you can be charged up to 102% of the full cost. Losing job coverage also opens a 60-day window to buy a Marketplace plan.
The quieter losses show up later. Skills fade and contacts move on, which makes it harder to earn again if you need to.
Retiring from a job is different from retiring from producing income. Many people keep a small income they enjoy. It takes pressure off savings and keeps options open.
Week 2 puts a number on what you give up when income goes to zero.
Sources
- An Employee's Guide to Health Benefits Under COBRA · US Department of Labor
- COBRA coverage and the Marketplace · HealthCare.gov
Written and reviewed by Todd Allyn, Founding Director, Sovereo Intelligence
Facts checked Oct 6, 2026 · Next review by Apr 6, 2027
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