Ever wonder how some people manage to walk away from work years before everyone else?<\/p>\n
On average, Americans surveyed said 58 is the ideal age for retirement,<\/a> according to a recent Empower report that polled 1,001 adults. That\u2019s significantly younger than the age at which most people actually retire.<\/p>\n GOBankingRates spoke with Anna Baluch, finance expert at BestMoney<\/a>, who works with ultra-wealthy clients<\/a>, and said it\u2019s not luck \u2014 and it\u2019s definitely not just a massive paycheck.<\/p>\n Again and again, the clients who retired early shared a handful of smart, intentional habits<\/a> that quietly did the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n Here are the key things they did differently.<\/p>\n Many people save consistently but never define a specific retirement goal, Baluch explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout a concrete target, it\u2019s easy to assume you\u2019re \u2018doing fine\u2019 while missing opportunities to accelerate progress,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n That clarity changes everything. When people know the age they want to retire and the number they need to reach, saving becomes strategic instead of passive. Contributions increase, investments are chosen more intentionally, and lifestyle adjustments happen earlier \u2014 not in a panic years later.<\/p>\n A defined target turns retirement<\/a> from a vague idea into a plan you can actually execute.<\/p>\n Read More: 64% of Americans Aren\u2019t Prepared For Retirement \u2014 and 48% Don\u2019t Care<\/a><\/p>\n Find Out: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K per Month From Home<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cEarly retirees almost always had a clear target, whether it was a specific age, portfolio size, or annual spending number,\u201d said Baluch.<\/p>\n That clarity shaped daily decisions, such as choosing lower-cost housing<\/a> or prioritizing investments over discretionary purchases.<\/p>\n