OK, "Physicians don't retire" isn't a great response; it sounds as if she was surprised. If you and I just met, and I heard/learned or you told me that you were a retired physician, I would be curious about that/about you. I would wonder why a physician would retire at a youngish age. And, that would be because I never met a physician who retired early (although apparently they do exist).
I'm guessing that if I seemed genuinely curious about your situation, you might be willing to talk about it to some degree.
I would wonder why a physician would retire at a youngish age. And, that would be because I never met a physician who retired early (although apparently they do exist).
I know of four personally, besides my soon to be retired self....plus the ones on this forum...not as rare as you might think.
In my experience, people are surprised that a physician might retire because (in their judgment)
A. it's a "waste" of all that training
B. we are all so fulfilled at our work that we couldn't possibly think of giving it up
C. we owe a debt to society
In reality, many physicians have needy personalities and like to feel needed. Some are narcissists and the physician role makes them feel important. Many others continue to work into old age because they must, having been sucked into overspending "because they deserve it" and because they are frequently not good money managers. Busy physicians who don't learn about investing are more likely to get sucked into risky investments.
My family paid for my education and family money is funding almost half my retirement; the other half was funded by 33 years of very hard work, during which I have paid a lot of taxes, with more to come. I have no pension. I do not feel that "society" owes me anything, nor do I feel indebted to society.
Or the Texas version, "[-]A[/-]bout whut?"...
So did at...[-]Th[/-]at needed fixin'
My dentist is thinking about retiring early. Last time I went for an appointment, I gave him my copy of the Boglehead's Guide to Retirement Planning. He said he would return it, but I insisted he keep it as a good guide for the long term.I know of four personally, besides my soon to be retired self....plus the ones on this forum...not as rare as you might think.
I worked hard and longer hours than most people, went back to school for an advanced degree while working, made good money, lived below my means regularly saved and invested and that some of my investments did very well - and I feel blessed by my good fortune to never have had a job loss or major illness
Or how about: I was forced into early retirement.
Don't have to say you forced yourself.
Isn't this an age related thing?
I didn't RE until 58 yo. Not really very early........ I've never offered an explanation to anyone and, in fact, am very seldom asked. Throwing in the towel on gainful employment at 58, what's the big deal?
If I had been so fortunate as to have RE'd at 40 or 45, then I suppose curiosity would overwhelm many folks and needing to have some sort of vanilla answer would be more necessary.
I tend to agree. For those ER'd before 50 I sort of look at them as those who have won the lottery either literally or figuratively. Or . . . they are not really retired. They are out of work.
For those over 50 who have put in 30 yrs of work then I can easily conceive that they have saved over time and/or have a frugal lifestyle.
I suppose anyone retired before 60 probably has a story that reasonably justifies their decision and situation.