Are You On Track for Retirement as a PA, NP, or PharmD?

You finally did it! You finished training, you’re earning six figures, and you’re doing the “right” things: tackling student loans, saving a bit, maybe even investing.

So why does it still feel like you’re behind?

Here’s the truth: as a high-income earner who started late (thanks to years of school and training), your path to financial freedom looks different. And if you're under 40, there’s really only one metric that matters right now:

👉 Your investing rate.

Let’s break down exactly what it takes to retire comfortably—without relying on guesses or generic advice built for people who started saving at 22.

Why High Earners Still Fall Short in Retirement

Let this stat sink in:
📉 Nearly 50% of households earning $200K+ are on track to retire with less than 60% of their current lifestyle.

That means half the Teslas in the hospital parking lot are headed for a lifestyle downgrade in retirement. Scary, right?

And the reason? It’s not their income—it’s that they started investing too late, or aren’t investing enough.

So let’s fix that.

Rule #1: Your Investing Rate > Your Return Rate

You’ll see plenty of financial advice out there talking about earning 8% or 9% returns.

But for most medical professionals who didn’t start investing until nearly 30, that’s not the problem.

The real problem is not investing enough.

How Much Should You Have Invested by Now?

Let’s break it down based on age and income level, using real benchmarks to help you figure out if you're:

• On track
• Behind and need to catch up
• Crushing it and ready to coast or retire early

These benchmarks assume you're spending roughly half your gross income (after taxes & investing) and aiming to replace your lifestyle in retirement.

✅ If You're a Single PA, NP, or PharmD Earning ~$130K…

👉 If you're below the benchmark: it's time to ramp up your investing rate (aim for 25%+ of gross).
👉 If you're above it: you’re on track to hit financial independence—and maybe even retire early. Continue to invest 20% of income until you’ve hit at least COAST FIRE.

✅ If You're in a Dual-Income or High-Earning Household (~$250K)

Same rules apply:
📉 Below = catch-up mode
🚀 Above = you’re in wealth-building territory

Wait, Do I Stop Investing Once I Hit the Target?

Nope! These benchmarks mean you’re on track—not done.

If you hit these numbers and keep investing 20%+ of your gross income, you’re set to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement.

More than that? You unlock options like:

• CoastFI (work optional)
• Early retirement
• Sabbaticals or part-time work
  
  

Final Thoughts: Your Late Start Doesn’t Define You

Most PAs, NPs, and pharmacists didn’t start earning serious money until their late 20s or 30s. That doesn’t mean you’re doomed to play catch-up forever.

But it does mean you have to be intentional—especially in your 30s and 40s.

Focus on your investing rate.
Know your net worth benchmarks.
And stay consistent.

You can retire with your lifestyle intact—and even better, you can build real wealth and options along the way.

Watch Full Video here:  

📢 Want Help Getting (or Staying) On Track?

Join the Millionaires in Medicine Club for free:
👉 https://www.millionairesinmedicine.com/community