Congratulations hvyevy2! Why have you waited so long to retire?

I'm not sure I will put 5 years in cash. It will almost certainly cut down on total return, and personally, I feel comfortable with a little more risk.
Also, my first few years will be financed by mandatory payments from a tax-deferred, delayed salary plan. So, cash won't become an issue for a while.

The big danger, of course is that we could go into a stock market slide that would last two or three years. Not having cash would force one to sell stocks at absolutely the worst time. The trade-off is that holding all those fixed income bonds cuts into your total return. Rock and a hard place! Everyone has to make their own call.

Please do tell us about what's kept you going so long. You must truly have enjoyed your work.

Cheers,
GW