I think you grossly overstate what $1 million can buy. While it is absolutely a cushion... it's not the freedom you imply. 10 years of "taking time off" looks great on paper, until it's time to get a job again. When you've got a gap like that in your employment resume... you're just begging for trouble. And 10 years is probably quite gratuitous depending on what part of the country you live. That $1 million might be less than 5 years of living expenses...