We cover the money questions that come up for doctors and dentists—how to handle student debt, where to stash money once you've maxed out retirement accounts, whether to refinance or chase loan forgiveness, what happens when you sell your practice. These aren't generic finance pieces. They're built around the situations physicians and dentists actually face.
· Reading time: 9 min
How to use a backdoor Roth IRA for physicians without the pro-rata trap
A backdoor Roth IRA for physicians who earn too much for a direct Roth contribution works in two steps: a nondeductible traditional IRA contribution, then a conversion of that money to Roth.
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PSLF vs refinancing student loans for doctors facing a job change
PSLF vs refinancing student loans: which path fits a doctor?
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How Assante Wealth Management Approaches How Much Should a Doctor Save
How much should a doctor save? Start near 20 percent, then assess cash and loans.
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The Assante Wealth Management Guide to Pay Off Student Loans or Invest
A 6 percent loan needs an 8 percent after-tax return to lose.
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Can a solo 401(k) for moonlighting physicians add room?
Can moonlighting physicians add solo 401(k) room? Short answer: employer space is separate.
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403(b) vs 457(b) for doctors: protect $6,000 a year
For 2026 each plan has its own $24,500 employee deferral limit, so a doctor under 50 can defer $24,500 + $24,500 = $49,000 a year.
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The $600,000 dental associate buy-in mistake that squeezes your plan
A $600,000 dental associate buy-in needs about $60,000 yearly principal.
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Own occupation disability insurance for doctors: a walkthrough from Assante Wealth Management
How much own occupation disability insurance does a doctor need?
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How to understand how financial advisors get paid before you retire
A 1 percent annual fee equals $5,000 on $500,000, $10,000 on $1 million and $20,000 on $2 million, before any investment growth or other costs.
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Consolidating retirement accounts for physicians and dentists with scattered old plans
Rachel and Lars' nine accounts should be inventoried before any transfer because one pre-tax IRA can affect the tax calculation for a backdoor Roth, while employer plans follow different rules.
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How Many Mutual Funds to Own: Assante Wealth Management's Take
The exception is a taxable account, employer stock, or unusual plan menu where consolidation could create a tax bill or remove useful liquidity.
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What Goes on a One-Page Financial Plan at Assante Wealth Management
The usual mistake is treating a one-page plan as an investment list.
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What financial mistakes doctors make deserve attention first?
For 2026, a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 or TSP allows $24,500 of employee deferrals; the ordinary age-50 catch-up is $8,000, and ages 60 through 63 have an $11,250 catch-up.
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When to hire a financial advisor: a five-step downside check
When to hire a financial advisor: compare the cost with sale, tuition and loan risks.
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The low-down-payment mistake behind a physician mortgage loan
On a $700,000 home, 20 percent down is $140,000, while 5 percent down is $35,000; the $105,000 difference stays liquid but creates a larger loan balance.
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S Corp Salary for Dentists: What Counts as Reasonable Pay
The main exception is a shareholder who performs no services, not a working dentist treating patients and managing a practice.
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How to compare Roth vs traditional 401(k) for doctors after a late start
The usual assumption is that a doctor should always choose pre-tax contributions; the better answer depends on the tax rate attached to each dollar now and later.
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HSA as a retirement account for physicians with college ahead
For 2026, family HSA coverage permits $8,750 of contributions, plus a $1,000 catch-up at age 55 and older; contributions stop when the person is enrolled in Medicare.
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Net worth by age for doctors: how Assante Wealth Management reads the gap
For a 42-year-old dentist, the deadline is not one magic net worth number.
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Taxes on Selling a Medical Practice: Goodwill vs Equipment
Say Kwame is discussing a roughly $1.2 million sale to a hospital system.
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Should I choose a 529 plan vs retirement savings after starting late?
529 plan vs retirement savings: retirement usually comes first when saving started late.
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Estate planning for young physicians: protect the next two years
For 2026, the federal estate tax basic exclusion is $15,000,000 per person, so a young physician family's first estate-planning risks are usually control, liquidity and beneficiary errors rather than federal estate tax.
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How to choose a wealth manager: the return-first mistake physicians make
A 36-year-old doctor may need to verify PSLF employment and payment records before refinancing, because refinancing federal loans generally removes federal program protections.
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Can a doctor retire at 60? A Walkthrough from Assante Wealth Management
A doctor may retire at 60, but $96,000 annual draws need a health bridge.
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How to invest after maxing out a 401(k) as a physician
For 2026, $24,500 is the employee deferral limit for a 401(k), so the next decision is how much flexibility to exchange for tax advantages.
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Mega backdoor Roth for doctors: checking your 401(k) before a late-career push
For 2026, $24,500 of employee deferrals plus $15,000 of employer contributions leaves $32,500 under the $72,000 defined contribution limit before catch-up contributions.
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Employed vs Private Practice Physician: The Money Side Compared
Omar's non-governmental 457(b) may be subject to the employer's creditors.
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Assante Wealth Management's Guide to a Financial Checklist for New Attendings
A missed payroll cutoff can delay a deferral for a full pay cycle, so Omar should keep the election confirmation and compare it with his first pay stub.
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Is lifestyle creep as a doctor costing you options?
How much should a doctor save after a raise? Save half first.
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Target-date fund vs index funds: compare the $400,000 decision
A target-date fund may win on upkeep, while index funds may cost less.
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