I worked for a state government for 23 years and had an OK pension.

Back in the 80's we opted out of social security and so I was ever so lucky to get a 403 retirement account. When I retired from my state job, i rolled that 403 into a Vanguard IRA.

I also had been saving in a deferred account at work plus a smaller savings account for emergency's.

Four legs. Pension, deferred account, emergency account, IRA.

I will get a very small SS check but it was never in any of my planning.

I was 52 when I retired and couldn't touch my IRA till 59 1/2. Seven years of additional income were needed to travel and live like I wanted.

My deferred account became my "bridge the income gap" account.

Back in the days, we discussed early withdrawals from our IRA's at great length. I chose not to do that because I thought I had enough flexibility in my retirement plan.

I am glad I didn't do those early withdrawals from my IRA. My IRA has really grown in the last seven years.