Yo, Tom.

<<So, if I did that, the tax deferred account would get bigger faster. By age 45 (or possibly earlier), I might be able to retire. However, I'd have to start the early withdrawal stuff. But if the calculations use life expectancy, the portions may not be enough to live on each year.>>

If you ran the numbers correctly, then why bother with approach 2 at all? 72t withdrawals are a hassel, and approach 1 not only gave you enough money, you didn't have to hit the IRAs until 59 1/2. Approach 2 may not give you enough. To me, that in and of itself argues against it.

Regards.....Pixy