ER Doc Advisor - Financial Planning & Taxes for Emergency Physicians

EP 258: The Wrong Question About Retirement: Why "How Much Do I Need?" Misses the Point

We get asked all the time by ER doctors: “How much do I need to retire?” Surprisingly, the answer to that is actually, “You’re asking the wrong question.”

The real question is: How do you build a career and financial structure that doesn’t just pay you—but frees you? Assets are only half the equation; the other half is designing a life and financial plan that isn’t entirely dependent on you showing up for shifts, scales beyond your hours in the hospital, and ultimately lets you choose when—and how—you step away.

Topics Discussed   

  • Why fixating on a single retirement target can lead to poor planning decisions.
  • Four key steps for retirement readiness.
  • A key factor that can drastically extend your portfolio’s lifespan.
  • The hidden impact of healthcare costs and long-term care on your retirement plan.
  • Why inflation and present vs. future value matter more than most people think.
  • Better questions to ask yourself instead of “What’s my number?”
  • How to create a flexible, personalized plan that evolves with your life and career.

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ER docs, physician finance, retirement planning, physician retirement, emergency medicine finance, lifestyle planning, retirement strategy, physician wealth management, financial independence