Mandatory Retirement Age?

[Old_Mil]

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...was talking to a retired endocrinologist today who said that her general surgeon friend said that ER docs pretty much face a mandatory retirement at age 60...?

Anyone know if there's any truth to that? Is it a mandatory retirement age, a customary retirement age, or a BS rumor with no truth to it whatsoever?

 

[Apollyon]

BS. Period.

You can work as long as you want in EM, especially because you can work one day a week, and still make a living wage.

What is it with the subspecialists and others who think they can talk in an informed manner in any depth about another specialty? I mean, I can opine on how a 60-year-old surgeon tolerates 24hr call and how it affects their sleep, but I wouldn't dare say that they had to retire or make statements regarding fitness.

 

[scattun]

BS. Period.

You can work as long as you want in EM, especially because you can work one day a week, and still make a living wage.

What is it with the subspecialists and others who think they can talk in an informed manner in any depth about another specialty? I mean, I can opine on how a 60-year-old surgeon tolerates 24hr call and how it affects their sleep, but I wouldn't dare say that they had to retire or make statements regarding fitness.

Completely agree. (I know I'm just a premed, but I have very close ties to some private EM groups) The only "forced retirement" that I have heard of are tied to the amount of patients the physician sees. i.e. If a doc doesn't see an average of X patients an hour over a period of six months, they are asked to work at another, less busy facility. Again, it is completely unrelated to age, in that if you can keep up you can stay in the game regardless of birthdate, and if you can't keep up you can't stay in the game even if you are a 31 year old two years out of residency.

 

[ditch doctor]

...was talking to a retired endocrinologist today who said that her general surgeon friend said that ER docs pretty much face a mandatory retirement at age 60...?

Anyone know if there's any truth to that? Is it a mandatory retirement age, a customary retirement age, or a BS rumor with no truth to it whatsoever?

There's staff where I work that has to be at least 70. No lie...

 

[edinOH]

This would only be true if EM docs were also piloting 747's in our off time.

 

[8744]

This would only be true if EM docs were also piloting 747's in our off time.

What, your program didn't have a jet airliner piloting requirement?

I thought it was an ACGME requirement; one of the core competancies.

 

[crewmaster1]

What is it with the subspecialists and others who think they can talk in an informed manner in any depth about another specialty? I mean, I can opine on how a 60-year-old surgeon tolerates 24hr call and how it affects their sleep, but I wouldn't dare say that they had to retire or make statements regarding fitness.

It is just their way of saying we work harder and make more important decisions than they do! They assume that at 60 we'd have to quit. They forget that we are better than them to start with! j/k. all Dr.'s and specialties are created equally, we shouldn't bash other services.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

While not mandatory, I suspect most EPs do/will retire prior to 60 for several reasons:

1) Night shifts get old and the pace of EM isn't as fun at 60 as at 30. Call it burnout if you like, but most physicians start slowing down in their 50s or so. Less call, more time off etc. EPs can either transition into a daytime gig, a fast-track/urgent care type gig, or simply work less shifts. Plus, they don't have to sell their practice, so they can "eject" faster. They can also retire "just to see what it's like" without fear of not being able to come back in a few months if they don't like retirement.

2) EPs have time to learn a little personal finance/investing and may be in a better position financially to retire earlier than some other specialists.

3) EPs generally have more non-work interests and want to retire earlier to pursue those. Surgeon types have been too busy at work to develop other interests, so what's the point of retiring?

 

[FISKUS]

So.. the retired surgeon told the endocrinologist about emergency med retirement issues. Boy - you get your info straight from the horses mouth 😀

 

[Apollyon]

The surgeon thing was my addition. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[deleted77919]

The surgeon thing was my addition. Sorry for any confusion.

No, I think if you read the OP you will see that he spoke to an endocrinologist who spoke with a general surgeon. It's sort of like a game of telephone.

The 60 thing isn't so much a retirement age as an expiration date. They tattoo it on your foot when you start residency.

 

[Apollyon]

No, I think if you read the OP you will see that he spoke to an endocrinologist who spoke with a general surgeon. It's sort of like a game of telephone.

The 60 thing isn't so much a retirement age as an expiration date. They tattoo it on your foot when you start residency.

Hehehe - you're right! My goof.