Rs 1 crore at 27, but burnt out from office pressure: Gen Z employee shares his early retirement plan. ‘I’m tired’

For a growing number of young professionals, financial success is no longer only about earning a bigger salary or climbing the corporate ladder. The idea of saving enough money to leave stressful jobs early has also become a goal, especially among workers dealing with long hours and constant pressure. But retiring in your 20s comes with a very different financial calculation, since the money may need to last for several decades.

A 27-year-old software engineer is now at the centre of this debate after revealing that he has built a net worth of Rs 1 crore but is already thinking about quitting work. He said years of working long hours, combined with freelancing, have left him exhausted and wanting a quieter life.

27-year-old techie asks if Rs 1 crore is enough to retire

The software engineer shared his situation on Reddit, asking whether he could pursue Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) and move to a Tier-2 or Tier-3 city.


“27M. Reached 1Cr net worth. Tired. Can I FIRE now?” he wrote.

He said most of his net worth is invested in mutual funds, fixed deposits and EPF. Alongside his job at what he described as a “FAANG-equivalent company”, he has also been freelancing.

The combination has meant that he has spent much of the last few years working without a proper break. “I’ve been working 7 days a week for the last 4–5 years,” he wrote.

The financial achievement, however, has not made him feel secure about his career. He said the pressure of deadlines, performance reviews, difficult work and the possibility of layoffs has left him drained.

“Honestly, I’m tired. Tired of the constant pressure of deadlines, performance evaluations, difficult work, and the constant fear of layoffs and uncertainty,” he wrote.

He said his plan is to move to a Tier-2 or Tier-3 city and live a peaceful life. He also said he plans to remain single and does not intend to get married.

Reddit users tell him not to make a rushed decision

The post received a range of reactions, but many users felt that the young professional may be dealing with burnout rather than a genuine need for permanent retirement.

One Reddit user wrote, “Been there, honestly you can't FIRE at this age with one cr. Life is long, you will change along with what you want with it. This money won't last you long.”

The commenter suggested taking a few weeks away from work first and spending that time on things such as movies, reading, travel, games or exercise, while staying away from computers and using the phone less.

Another user focused on housing and said, “No. You need your own house or a plot first. Then accumulate 1cr. Then prolly you can retire.”

A different commenter said the answer depends heavily on the person's expected spending and future plans. “This is a highly subjective question. You need to do your future expenses analysis,” they wrote, adding that a break or a move to a company with better work-life balance could be a better option.