You hit your "number," now what?

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pjl

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Say you are 40 years old, and you hit your hypothetical "number" for your retirement, and hey, lets just throw in enough to handle whatever withdrawal rate you have predetermined to be the magic amount from here until when you are actual retirement age. What comes next? How many would still practice anesthesia? What change to your lifestyle would you make?
 
Id probably try to cut back on hours and enjoy more free time and vacation. Id probably keep working for a while though to increase my savings further and just for enjoyment. (a job becomes more enjoyable when your hours are good and you have more time to do other stuff)
 
Say you are 40 years old, and you hit your hypothetical "number" for your retirement, and hey, lets just throw in enough to handle whatever withdrawal rate you have predetermined to be the magic amount from here until when you are actual retirement age. What comes next? How many would still practice anesthesia? What change to your lifestyle would you make?

At age 40 I would have moved to urban paradise or suburbs thereof and worked part time. Now at age 50 + I am less adaptable and plan to go part time with the next contract renewal which I know will be far less favorable. I am less adaptabile and comfortable in my current position. Even though it is inner BFE. Sevo desscribed outer BFE. We have indoor tennis, and a sushi place 🙂 A second one is twenty minutes away.🙂
 
There are plenty of folks I know that would have happily quit be content pursuing outside interests, hobbies, fitness, cooking, etc. Younger I could have done a career change, but now I would have too uch time on my hands to quit completely.
 
Say you are 40 years old, and you hit your hypothetical "number" for your retirement, and hey, lets just throw in enough to handle whatever withdrawal rate you have predetermined to be the magic amount from here until when you are actual retirement age. What comes next? How many would still practice anesthesia? What change to your lifestyle would you make?

I'd move to a desireable location and practice part time (60-80%) in an academic setting for a period of 10 ish years or so. Make enough to pay the bills on a good quality of life without draining the savings. Would also be a lot less stressful than a busy private practice setting. Either that or get a VA gig in a nice city.
 
Say you are 40 years old, and you hit your hypothetical "number" for your retirement, and hey, lets just throw in enough to handle whatever withdrawal rate you have predetermined to be the magic amount from here until when you are actual retirement age. What comes next? How many would still practice anesthesia? What change to your lifestyle would you make?

I want to die holding the Pajunk needle in my cold hands.
 
I want to die holding the Pajunk needle in my cold hands.

Haha I burst out laughing at this one. So appropriate for you, Blade. For me, I'd get rid of overnight call, and only work 2-3 days a week (T, W, Th). I'm pretty happy with my location right now, so wouldn't plan a move. I may try academics again at some point, but having just left residency, I'm completely burnt out with big academic centers and the 'training' aspect of things right now.
 
You are like Walter White in the last scene of Breaking Bad.

Walter White is a stud... but he died alone. 🙄

I'm sad the series is over, but am curious about the spin off. Should be good.
 
That's my Dad. 70y recent Pacreatic Ca Dx. Non op. Getting chemo infusions in port while doing cases. Hits gym every am. Bad ass.

Sorry to hear that. He sound like an awesome dude.. 👍
 
Walter White is a stud... but he died alone. 🙄

I'm sad the series is over, but am curious about the spin off. Should be good.

It is supposed to be a prequel. Based on the lawyer...Better call Saul.

Jesse to Walt: "We don't need a criminal lawyer. We need a criminal...lawyer."
 
There are two reasons to ask this question, first, what is stopping you from attaining the lifestyle you truly want to live, right now? If it is just the money, at some point I would guess you will be disappointed by the life you missed out on. I know I personally feel that I should start thinking down this road, and probably cut back, but I am scared of looming reimbursement drops and want to get my investment income ramped up to take over for my reduced wages...Once I hit 2-3 mil in investments (hopefully within 5 more years) I am probably going to look to drop workload and spend more time with my family, but I am guessing I will fall into the trap of "just a little more cushion." I just hope I have the courage and faith to make that transition.

The other is, does anyone have a group that has successfully made it possible for an older established partner to cut back without costing the young guys money by over hiring, or killing them with extra work? What are some of your mechanisms for dealing with guys going part time as they get older and care less about the money. We are a 9 person group currently trying to figure this out for our oldest member...
 
1Doubt-young_adult_old.jpg
 
We are a 9 member group and have a 65 year old guy. Next guy is 53. Rest are in 40s and 30s. The old guy works during the daytime and does backup call during the week but no first calls. He has to take an equal share of weekend call and usually one of the younger guys picks up his weekend call. Win win. He takes a week off a month and is a good backup resource when someone is sick or has an emergency at home or with family.

He is well past his number. His kids are grown up and married. He works because he loves to work.
 
We are a 9 member group and have a 65 year old guy. Next guy is 53. Rest are in 40s and 30s. The old guy works during the daytime and does backup call during the week but no first calls. He has to take an equal share of weekend call and usually one of the younger guys picks up his weekend call. Win win. He takes a week off a month and is a good backup resource when someone is sick or has an emergency at home or with family.

He is well past his number. His kids are grown up and married. He works because he loves to work.

For a motivated individual what is more enriching than a kick-ass job that carries some level of authority/respect?

Even if one hit their number why give up a great position like being a physician?
 
For a motivated individual what is more enriching than a kick-ass job that carries some level of authority/respect?

Even if one hit their number why give up a great position like being a physician?

You bet... people sometimes grow old once they retire. 1/2 time with no call... is the shiznit.
 
When I hit my number I would like to keep working part time. I will no longer be interested in quietly taking as much **** as I do now, so I may have to cut back to zero before long.
 
If the job i'm at is satisfying i would probably find a partner to go part time and work 1 or 2 weeks on/off. That would be a great setting if you get on well with the other person: if you wan't to take a long vacation you can work 1 month then take 1 month off...

If displeased with the job i would go part time in academics.

I would only stop entirely if i'd win the lottery because you never know if you'll need additionnal income.
 
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