“Prior to retirement only 52% of my gross salary ever made it into my bank account. It struck me as absurd to suddenly need to replace 85% of my gross salary after I retired.”
How much of the 48% was for expenses that would continue post retirement, but would no longer be payroll deductions?
None of the 48% was for expenses that would continue with the exception of Medicare Part B and Part D premiums withheld from my Social Security retirement benefit that started the month after I retired. The Medicare premiums replaced the overly expensive corporate medical insurance that stopped on my retirement.