Medical school students graduate with an average student loan debt of $192,000, according to a 2017 survey.1 With a demanding career ahead of them, most physicians can use the help of a dedicated financial professional. From tackling student loan debt to preparing for retirement, an advisor can help take the lead on managing your biggest financial goals. As you begin your search for a financial partner, consider looking out for these four signs.
Sign #1: They Have Referrals From Other Doctors
No one knows what specific financial concerns you have better than your peers. Ask the advisor you are interviewing to give you referrals of your peers. Your peers can provide you with what their experience has been like with the advisor. Most importantly, find an advisor who focuses on physicians and their needs.
Sign #2: They Can Serve As Your One-Stop-Shop
In a 2014 study conducted by the American Medical Association, around two-thirds of physicians reported working regularly between 40 and 60 hours a week, while another 20 percent reported regularly working between 61 and 80 hours per week.2
While this study is a few years old, you know as well as anyone that the demand placed on our healthcare professionals has only grown in recent years – especially amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
But, what does this have to do with finding a financial advisor?
As a doctor, you need to find someone who can answer your questions efficiently and effectively. You don’t have the time or desire to bounce between insurance agents, investment advisors, student loan specialists, etc. You either need someone who can take care of all aspects of your wealth for you, or coordinate with other specialists on your behalf.
Sign #3: They Can Help Cut Through the Noise
Doctors tend to accumulate an astronomical amount of student loan debt – which isn’t exactly a secret. From residency to retirement, doctors are often targeted by companies and agencies looking to address their financial pain points – namely their student loan debt, life insurance, disability insurance, etc.
You want to work with a dedicated person who understands you need help sifting through your options, silencing the noise of a crowded market and focusing on your personal financial goals. You need someone who can think through your options for you, someone who understands what you need and which path forward may be most beneficial.
Sign #4: They Can Build a Long-Lasting Relationship
Doctors never stop needing financial guidance. Their needs will grow, evolve and gain complexity over time. While in your younger years, you’re working to pay down student loan debt, you’ll likely encounter more financial endeavors like buying a home, starting your own practice, purchasing a vacation home, preparing an estate plan and eventually enjoying retirement. As you’re searching for the right financial partner, you may want to consider finding someone who’s prepared to work with you for decades to come or someone with their legacy plan in place to make your transition to working with a new advisor seamless.
If you’re a young physician in residency, is an advisor with a 30+ year career who specializes in helping physicians retire the right partner for you? They may come highly recommended by others, but they may not be the right person to help kickstart your own financial journey.
As a doctor, you work, live and breathe your profession. Your job is demanding, your financial situation is complicated and you need someone who can take the reins and guide you from residency to retirement. While searching for the right financial advisor for you, ask questions about your unique financial concerns, gather recommendations from the advisor for peers they serve and most importantly, find an advisor and firm who specializes in doctors and will be in it for the long-haul.
- https://www.debt.org/students/loan-consolidation/medical-school-loans/pay-off-fast/
- https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/how-many-hours-are-average-physician-workweek#:~:text=Most%20physicians%20work%20between%2040,than%2040%20hours%20per%20week.
Disclaimer:
2020 All Rights Reserved. This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty over Ten and Rx Wealth Advisors, LLC for general informational purposes only. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties and in no way is meant to provide specific tax, legal or financial advice. Please consult legal, financial or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial advice or investment security.