From a disadvantaged family (no initial savings) and perhaps student loans (ill-advised, but not uncommon) -- it&#x27;s not unthinkable that he hasn&#x27;t hit &quot;soft retire&quot; numbers after 10 years.<p>But your sentiment is correct: If you&#x27;re debt-free, you should be able to &quot;soft retire&quot; after 10 years as a software engineer in today&#x27;s markets.