What makes a provider retire?  Is it that they have made enough money? Found love? Got to old?  Tired of it all?  I can't believe that they can find a job that pays tax free money and in some cases good money.  What is it

Are you somehow implying that providers do not have the education or wherewithal to do anything else?  In many cases you are sorely mistaken.

And, btw, this is not tax free money. by any means!  I pay my taxes like everyone else!

I think no one would say they made enough money, who says that??  The ladies that I know retired for the following:
1. went back to work in the regular work force.
2. several graduated from college and moved on.
3. met Mr. Right (outside the hobby) and moved on.
Soon my ATF will be moving on.  Thus I too, am seriously thinking of hanging up my hat, for this special lady I feel will be impossible to replace. (please dont ask who, I will let her tell when the time comes).

I do not know everyone else here, but for me and my provider friends being a provider is a financial help to pursue other goals in life. I would never think it to be my career. Also, I think whether you are self-employed or have employer there are no jobs here that are tax free. If you are self employed and choose not to pay taxes, that would be very foolish.

Some of us even went to college!  Imagine that?!  Also, I pay my taxes every year just like anyone else.  How presumptuous of you to make the ASSumptions you made.

You are very wise to have other things going for you in your life, but I know from pillow talk conversations that many providers' lives fit the OP's assumptions.

And, yes, everybody should pay taxes one way or another.  But I have known people in many industries, legal (bartenders, waiters, tutors, etc.) and illegal (drug dealers, sex workers, etc.), who do not report their income, or who only report a small percentage of it.  A stripper friend of mine is trying to make a transition to a new way of life but cannot secure loans to assist her because she officially has no income...even though she does somehow have a mortgage and car loan.  Here's hoping she never gets audited.

What I'm trying to say is that everyone in this thread is being too presumptuous.

will retire very quickly, perhaps not as a choice. the smart ladies i know pay their taxes.

some get enough money to retire, some find mr right, some get enough money to finance other ambitions. i know of none who doesn't have a plan for after....

The smart ones pay taxes and have an off-ramp planned.

The ones I know either got tired of it or they transitioned into a more time demanding "other" job.  Lots were students who retired when they graduated.

The money can be decent but most make much less than guys want to believe.

Just like most people here are getting VERY tired of YOU!

This is very good advice, just because taxes aren't withheld doesn't mean that the IRS won't nail you if they find out you have unreported income.  Tax evasion is serious and very easy to prove (much easier than anything else in criminal law).