I am grateful for each additional year that I learnt in Kollel. Each year makes a tremendous difference that will have a lasting impact, long after you must leave.
Eventually I did have to leave, when rent and other things piled up, small side jobs were sparse and and opportunity came up. But it was really כפורש מן החיים. However those ten years gave me the ability to remain at the Gemara first and my job second.
Nothing compares to Kollel learning utilized well: not being a שואל ומשיב, מגיד שיעור, רב, or even a ראש ישיבה.