"I had planned to retire in a few years, but my retirement nest egg was just cut in half and I don’t see how the remaining funds can generate the 10% annual returns I had planned on for the next 20 years."
"I guess I’ll need to work another 10 or more years."
"I have many more aches and pains that I did in the past and my replacement hip isn’t functioning as well as I expected. These long days and late nights are more than I can bear. It’s time to tell my group that I will be slowing down soon and staying on past 70."
"As a long-standing senior physician, I will be an asset to the group even though I will no longer work late, on weekends or take call. No more beeper. No more calls from the answering service. I will be more than happy to help the practice by seeing patients weekdays until 4:00 p.m."
"I could probably sustain a pay cut of 10% as long as I retain all my benefits. Twenty percent may be OK if I could have an additional 4 weeks vacation or work just 4 days per week. I might even take on some administrative duties if I am paid extra."
"The group can pay my accounts receivable now so I am not at risk if healthcare reimbursement takes a turn for the worse in the future. I am certain that my younger partners will want me to retain full ownership and voting rights. My vast experience will help guide them over the next 30 years of their practice."
"I better make my reduced work proposal at the next board meeting. With five others near my age, I need to get this approved right away. I’d better check with the practice administrator and make sure he is on board with this and explain it in a manner that he can understand. Since he hit 50, he’s started to go a little soft in the head. "
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