A practical retirement planning guide built for loggers, foresters, sawmill operators, and small business owners in the forest products industry. Because you've spent your career taking care of the woods — this book helps you take care of what comes after.
After Wood: Routes to Retirement speaks directly to the people who work in and around the forest — loggers, mill operators, foresters, and other small business owners in the timber industry. It addresses the unique financial challenges these professionals face: seasonal income, equipment-heavy businesses, and careers that take a physical toll.
Through practical frameworks like the 4% Rule and the Rule of 25, and through the stories of characters at every career stage — from Josh at 25 to Todd at 55 — the book maps out clear, achievable paths to financial security after a life in the woods.
Whether you're just getting started or beginning to see the end of the trail, this guide meets you where you are and shows you how to get where you need to be.
Made possible with support from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board's Forest Viability Program and a publishing grant from Farm Credit East's AgEnhancement Program.
How much money do you need in your retirement savings portfolio to enjoy the standard of living you expect? Knowing the answer to this question is the beginning of your plan.
Financial advisor William Bengen provided useful guidance when he devised the 4% Rule — the idea that a retiree can safely withdraw 4% of their savings annually without running out of money. Building on that, the Rule of 25 says you'll need 25 times your annual living expenses saved up.
Consider Ernie, a 50-year-old logger approaching the end of his career. He estimates $40,000 in annual retirement expenses:
With a $1 million portfolio, Ernie can withdraw 4% each year — exactly the $40,000 he needs. The eventual sale of his logging equipment, combined with current savings and continued Roth IRA contributions, puts this goal within reach.
Even a simple back-of-the-envelope calculation is a step in the right direction.
The Forest Business School dedicated a multi-part podcast series to After Wood, walking through the book's core concepts and character case studies.
Available now on Amazon Kindle. A small investment in the biggest decision of your career.