Retirement Planning for Physicians & Surgeons
What does your retirement look like after years of long hours, patient care, and demanding schedules? Traveling, teaching, or simply enjoying well-earned downtime? Whatever your vision, achieving a financially secure retirement requires a strategy tailored to physicians’ unique financial challenges.
From navigating complex compensation structures to planning for early or extended retirement, your financial journey demands specialized expertise. At Toberman Becker Wealth, we design financial strategies specifically for medical professionals, ensuring your retirement plan aligns with your goals at every career stage.
Why do Doctors and Surgeons Need Tailored Financial Planning?
Physicians and surgeons require a financial approach reflecting their careers’ realities. Key considerations include:
- Delayed Earning Trajectory
- Professional Liability Exposure
- High-Income Tax Planning
- Complex Compensation Structure
- Private Practice Ownership
- Early Retirement
Nearly 30% of physicians retire between 60 and 65, and 12% retire before 60.” –AMA Insurance Agency Inc.
Wealth management addresses the hurdles that come in each phase of a physician’s retirement planning process:
- Mid-Career
Build wealth through strategic investments while managing tax liability and avoiding lifestyle inflation. - Late-Career
Protect your wealth with retirement planning and tax-planning strategies to ensure financial security for your retirement years. - Retirement
Maintain a diversified investment portfolio, optimize estate planning, and maximize Social Security benefits.
Steps Physicians Should Take to Plan for Retirement
To retire confidently, start with a personalized strategy built around your long-term goals.
- Define Your Retirement Roadmap
Assess your financial landscape and key factors influencing your retirement timeline:- Savings targets
- Projected future earnings
- Retirement timing
- Inheritance plan
- Develop a Customized Investment Strategy
Design a portfolio tailored to your long-term objectives, risk tolerance, and evolving financial needs. - Monitor Portfolio Performance & Risk
Regularly track your investments and make data-driven adjustments to stay the course. - Partner With a Trusted Financial Advisor
Your financial partner should provide expert guidance and ongoing check-ins to help you adjust your plan as needed.
“Though most physicians won’t begin accumulating assets until their 30s, robust retirement planning is the best way to catch up quickly and realize long-term financial security.” - Michael Becker, CFA, CFP®
Considerations for Physician Retirement Plans
- Maximize Tax-Advantaged Savings
Physicians often fall into higher income tax brackets, making strategic tax planning essential for building wealth and minimizing taxable income.- Max Out Pre-Tax Accounts: Contribute to 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plans and leverage employer matching contributions.
- Optimize After-Tax Investments: Minimize capital gains taxes with tax-efficient investments that align with your long-term strategy.
- Plan for Tail Insurance Costs
Physicians must secure tail insurance to cover malpractice claims from past practice. This lump sum payment can cost up to 200% of your annual medical malpractice premium. Factor this significant expense into your retirement plan by setting aside savings or using a fixed-income investment approach.
Common Retirement Planning Mistakes Physicians Make
- Underestimating Healthcare Costs
Healthcare expenses have tended to rise faster than inflation. Retirement savings can be depleted faster than expected without planning for long-term care, out-of-pocket costs, and increasing insurance premiums. - Over-Leveraging Wealth in Private Practice Equity
While private practice ownership can be a valuable asset, overconcentration poses a risk. Once your practice is well-established, aim to ensure that no more than 50% of your net worth is tied up in business equity to maintain personal financial flexibility and security. - Miscalculating Annual Income
Physicians often have complex compensation structures, including:- Base Salary
- On-Call Pay
- Bonuses
- Practice Partnerships
Underestimating or overestimating net earnings can disrupt financial planning assumptions,leading to shortfalls in retirement savings. Regularly reassessing your income projections helps keep your retirement strategy on track.
- Insufficient Professional Liability Coverage
Medical malpractice claims can lead to financial devastation if your insurance policy does not provide adequate coverage. An uncovered claim can drain hundreds of thousands of dollars from your retirement assets if you are held personally liable for legal defense fees, settlements, and/or plaintiff damages.
The Importance of Retirement Planning Should Never Be Underestimated
At Toberman Becker Wealth, we know the importance of planning for retirement on your terms for life beyond your practice. Whether building a new strategy or refining an existing plan, regularly assessing your progress ensures you stay on track for the retirement you deserve.
Toberman Becker Wealth is a fee-only, independent fiduciary firm based in St. Louis. Whether you start dreaming about retirement in your 50s or actively plan for retirement in your 60s, we help people nearing a transition build a resilient retirement plan. We always operate in the best interests of our clients, and our top priority is helping you live comfortably now without sacrificing your financial future later.
If you’re looking for an investment advisor to help you build a diversified retirement plan that ensures comfort and peace of mind, feel free to book a meeting or give us a call.
Retirement Planning for Physicians FAQ
A fee-only advisor works solely on the client’s behalf and does not receive any incentives or commissions from third parties to invest in certain funds or sell certain products. At Toberman Becker Wealth, we believe in full transparency, and you can trust that our recommendations are 100% client-driven with no hidden charges.
While there is no set schedule, we aim to connect with every client at least twice yearly and recommend additional meetings whenever your personal or professional circumstances change.
At Toberman Becker Wealth, we aim to provide a concierge-level service built from the ground up. This allows us to invest in your future success, and it’s why we’re free of institutionalized sales quotas, legacy processes, or secondary agendas. Growing up and attending school in the St. Louis region motivated us to stay local and help others grow their wealth and the wealth of our beloved community.
Michael Becker, Partner:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Bachelor of Science in Finance & Banking from the University of Missouri–Columbia.
Schedule a free introductory call or call (314) 783-9860 to discuss your financial planning needs with Michael.
Disclosure: Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information. Nothing on this website should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities.
Michael is a highly knowledgeable and experienced partner at Toberman Becker in St. Louis. With his expertise in investment management, behavioral finance, and retirement planning, Michael is dedicated to providing his clients with the best financial guidance possible.
Having worked with clients on complex estate planning and developing investment strategies for a team of advisors, Michael’s experience spans across various areas of financial planning. What truly sets him apart is his unyielding desire to acquire knowledge for the betterment of his clients. At Toberman Becker, this commitment to continuous learning is the foundation upon which exceptional client experiences are built.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Additionally, he holds designations as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Beyond his professional achievements, Michael enjoys a fulfilling personal life in St. Louis. Living with his wife, Lindsey, and their beloved dog, Birk, he finds joy in activities such as golfing together and exploring local restaurants.