Seeing recent discussions about early retirement reminded me of a friend I once admired, who chose to retire at 45. At an age when many people are still struggling to pay off mortgages, he already owned a townhouse, a car, a plot of land and a prime street-front property generating a steady VND70 million (US$2,700) a month. At the time, he seemed the perfect example of the “financial freedom” many dream of.

After quitting his job, he spent time taking care of family, traveling and meeting friends. During our weekday coffee chats, he would smile and say: “I have done enough, now I am living for myself.”

I even thought that if I were in his position, I might also choose to enjoy life.

But life is not as firm as plans drawn on paper. A few years later, the street where his rental property was located began to decline. Shops closed, crowds thinned out and businesses shifted online. His once “high-demand” property gradually became vacant and the rental income, his only source of livelihood, slowly dried up.

Meanwhile, living expenses in the city did not decrease. With no job and no steady income, he was forced to sell the land lot.

When he told me this, I could clearly see the exhaustion and regret in his eyes because he was too confident that his one income source would last forever.

Markets change and what was once considered “sustainable” can quickly lose value. Now he finds it difficult to return to work, as few businesses want to hire someone in their 50s with a long career gap.

My friend’s story has made me reflect on the topic. I do not think retiring early is wrong, but stopping work completely while still healthy and able to create value can be a risky choice. Life is full of unpredictable factors, such as the economy and health.

For me, a more reasonable option is to slow down, work less and be more flexible, rather than quitting altogether. A job does not just bring income; it helps people maintain social connections, the ability to adapt and an “escape route” when other income sources disappear.

While I feel sorry for my friend, his experience made me realize that maintaining an active source of income, even a small one, can be the most important safety net in an uncertain life.

*This opinion was submitted by a reader. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.