If we’re going to talk about early retirement for physicians, we need to define what it means to retire early in the context of a late start, excessive student loan debt, and a self-imposed debt we feel we owe to ourselves or society after so many years of education and training.
In fact, once you have saved enough to retire, and truly have no interest in fun employment, you have proven that you are truly happy in your career. That’s fantastic!
The stay-at-home spouse. I worked with one family physician whose wife finished residency with him years earlier. Diplomas in hand, she remained home to raise and home-school their children.
The Planner. To escape so soon on your own merits requires some serious planning. Minimize debts throughout medical school and residency.
Mid-Life Crisis. At roughly the half-way point in life, physicians know all too well that life is precious, and sometimes short.
The Second Breadwinner. In their mid-to-late forties, a married couple could have a combined 30 to 50 years of career earnings behind them.