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When you finally make the move from residency to practice, that extra bump in income can feel like the ultimate reward for the years you spent sacrificing dinners out with your friends for ramen at home and vacation getaways for 60-hour workweeks.

While you should celebrate that hit of financial freedom you worked so hard for, it’s also important to be deliberate with how you spend and save your money moving forward. To prepare yourself for the unexpected, dig your way out of debt, and plan financially for the future, partnering with the advisors from Larson Financial Group can help ensure you’re making the best decisions at every step in your career.

Creating a spending plan and sticking to it

The first step toward financial security for any professional is to create a household budget to understand how much money is coming in and how much is going out for monthly expenditures. Once your essential living expenses are covered, you can address where to allocate the remaining funds.

At Larson, we encourage our clients to prioritize a three-step spending plan, especially when transitioning to practice:

1. Build up your cash reserves. As moms and dads have said for generations, you need to save for a rainy day. In the event of a layoff, illness or other unexpected obstacle on your career path, three to six months of cash reserves can help cover monthly expenses as you recover financially. 
2. Create a debt repayment plan. Right now, you’re likely drowning in student loan payments on top of possible credit card debt, car loans and mortgage payments. A financial planner can work with you to develop a plan to pay off bad debt first – such as credit card debt and high-interest loans – before tackling low-interest student loans.
3. Start saving for the long term. By meeting with an advisor, you can better save for big-ticket items like a house or for your eventual retirement. Through one-on-one conversations with you, they can determine how much you need to save to live out your golden years how you want and the right financial vehicles to use to get you there.

Choosing the Right Financial Advisor

Choosing someone to help you with financial planning can seem overwhelming. Titles and training programs for financial advisors vary widely and can be confusing. 

At Larson, we seek to serve your best interests and peace of mind. Several advisors on our staff are Certified Financial Planners (CFP) who undergo extensive training and pass grueling examinations to provide their clients with the best service in the industry. CFPs must voluntarily ascribe to a code of ethics, including a commitment to act in the clients’ best interest. Financial planning services are provided on a fiduciary standard, with no personal benefit derived from recommending specific investment vehicles. 

Larson Financial Planners advise physicians to have a long-term focus on asset allocation, low expenses, and tax efficiency. From residency to retirement, we work with your future goals in mind. 

The benefits of working with Larson Financial Group

There are endless investment firms you can work with. However, Larson is one of the few in the industry that’s not only dedicated to healthcare professionals, but also works with them from residency through retirement. Our commitment is to help physicians reach their greatest financial potential, which begins with wise choices in the beginning concerning employment and debt.  

From financial contract negotiations to retirement planning and everything in between, our advisors can take care of all your financial planning for one yearly fee. And because our goal is to help you avoid missteps from day one, we don’t charge a fee until you’re done with your training. The earlier you start planning, the sooner you can get on the road to financial security for the rest of your career.

To learn more about our financial services, contact Larson today at 866-569-2450 for your free, no-obligation consultation, or you can connect with an Advisor in our NEW Live Chat at larsonfinancial.com to learn more. Advisors are available between 8am-8pm CST Monday to Friday to assist you. 

Larson Financial Group, LLC, Larson Financial Securities, LLC and their representatives do not provide legal or tax advice or services. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your legal or tax planning needs.

In an instant, an illness, accident or injury can derail the career you’ve worked so hard to build. Best case scenario, your ability to treat patients may be put on hold for a few weeks until you recover. Worst case, a life-changing diagnosis means you’re unable to practice medicine indefinitely.

Whether temporary or permanent, when your career comes to a sudden stop, your financial responsibilities keep right on rolling – you still need to provide for your family while also finding a way to pay off your medical school loans.

Securing private disability insurance while you’re in residency is a simple way to protect your financial security in the event of the unexpected. As a financial planner and independent insurance broker, Larson Financial Group can help you navigate the complicated world of own-occupation insurance and find a policy that best fits your budget—today and in the future.

Why disability insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution

When comparing insurance carriers, it’s important for residents to focus on physician-specific, own-occupation options. Own-occupation policies, available from independent insurance providers, protect your personal earning potential if you’re forced to leave the medical career you trained for because of a disability. For instance, if you’re an orthopedic surgeon, and a hand injury suddenly pushes you out of the operating room, the right own-occupation policy ensures you continue to receive income until you retire.

As with any policy, there are different coverage tiers available, and understanding which fits your needs is crucial to your financial health:

• Two-Year – At the lower end of the spectrum, a two-year policy will pay the income you would earn as a healthcare provider for two years. If your carrier determines you are physically and mentally able to switch to another occupation, they will no longer continue to cover your costs.
• Not Working – For many physicians, their dedication to patient care doesn’t end because of physical limitations. A “not working” policy actually stifles your ability to use the knowledge and skills you acquired as a medical professional. For instance, if you invent a medical device that brings in income while on leave, your disability insurance payouts will be limited, if not canceled completely. 
• Double Dip – The policy Larson often recommends as a firm is the “double dip.” This own-occupation option allows you to earn income from other sources if you go on disability, but continues to pay you the same income you would make if you were performing the career you trained for. 

Three factors residents should keep in mind when shopping for insurance

As a resident on a budget, disability insurance is often the last thing you want to think about. However, according to The White Coat Investor, getting disability insurance now is the most important financial decision a resident can make. But there are several important elements to take into consideration.

1. Don’t limit yourself to your hospital’s group disability offerings. Most healthcare systems will cover the cost of your group disability insurance. However, because it’s employer-paid, any insurance benefits you receive while on disability leave will be taxable. Plus, most group policies are limited to two years. Finding supplemental disability insurance is crucial to ensure your payouts continue up until retirement.
2. Get your policy while you’re young. As you grow older, new health issues will start to emerge. Even in your thirties and forties, it can be challenging to find an affordable policy – if you can find a carrier who will cover you at all! It’s important to shop for providers when you’re at your youngest and healthiest, and premiums are at their lowest. If you take advantage of a 30 percent discount while in residency, for instance, instead of waiting one year until you’re practicing, you can earn $218,000 more over the course of your career if you become disabled.
3. Work with an independent broker. When you go directly to an insurance carrier, you’re limited to the policies they offer. In many cases, they may not provide the coverage you need, especially since policies are gender- and state-specific. An independent insurance broker like Larson can compare policies across numerous providers to find available discounts that best fit your budget.

Partner with Larson Financial Group for disability insurance

Larson’s independent insurance brokers are dedicated to finding residents their perfect match when it comes to disability insurance. By making a small financial sacrifice now, you can protect your future earning potential and your family’s financial security no matter what health crisis comes your way. To learn more about your options, contact Larson Financial Group at 314-787-7399. 

Advisory Services provided by Larson Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

The first-year contract you sign post-residency or fellowship sets the base for your entire career. Not only do future salaries, benefits and bonuses all build on what you earn today, but having the right safety net now can protect you in the event of a termination or malpractice claim which can threaten your family’s financial security.

Before you jot your signature on the dotted line, it’s important to have both an attorney and financial consultant on your side to help you negotiate for the compensation and protection you deserve. 

Assembling Your Negotiation Team

Many first-year physicians consult with a contract lawyer or employment attorney in order to understand the fine print of their agreements. An attorney will focus on a number of issues, including termination, malpractice, moonlighting, liquidated damages, and restricted covenants. 

When determining if an attractive offer is truly the best for you financially, it is time to turn to a Larson Financial Group expert who is experienced in the financial aspect of contract negotiations. With the right national comparative data in hand and an understanding of your current and future career goals, your personal Jerry Maguire can determine if the salary, benefits and bonuses offered are competitive. And if they’re not, we can empower you with the information you need to make your case for greater compensation. 

Working With Your Financial Planner Through the Negotiation Process 

For example, let’s say a neurologist who comes to our office for a consultation is offered a base salary of $225,000. The hospital is willing to pay $25 per RVU for anything over 5,000 RVUs and expects the physician to get to 6,000 RVUs. That extra $25,000 on top of the base salary puts the neurologist at 40-45% of the national average for compensation.

Because the hospital wants the neurologist to hit 6,000 RVUs, from a work standpoint, the physician sits at 60-65% of the national average for productivity. In other words, the neurologist is getting paid at the 40-percentile mark according to the national data, but asked to work at the 60-percentile mark. 

The question for the neurologist and the financial planner is – “How can we get those numbers closer together so that the physician is more fairly compensated for the extra work?” The key is to determine which levers to pull in negotiations with the employer, which could mean asking for a higher base salary, suggesting $50 per RVU as opposed to $25, or requesting a bonus over 5,000 RVUs.

While you can come back to the table with a counter offer, there are many control factors to consider. For example, hospitals don’t always have to pay the national market rate, especially those in rural communities or for specialties in oversaturated markets. But if you bring a realistic approach to renegotiation, you and your employer can often find a middle ground.

Four Key Points to Remember During Negotiation

After almost a decade of preparing for your career, you deserve to be treated and compensated fairly. As you head into contract negotiations with your employer-to-be, be sure to have a plan of action in place to put you in the driver’s seat of your financial future:

1. Reference the data. If there’s anything medical professionals understand, it’s research data. Keep emotions out of negotiation and instead present the national compensation comparison data you and your financial planner worked on together. 
2. Avoid anecdotes. Sharing examples of the salaries your fellow residents received will do little to help your case. Every situation is different – one’s professional experience, where they choose to practice, and what they specialize in all play a role in how they’re compensated. Stick to the numbers and skip the stories.
3. Good cop versus bad cop. If negotiation comes to a stalemate, pull in your financial planner. If we determine your employer is undervaluing your worth, we can write a detailed letter on your behalf that outlines how their offer stacks up to current market trends.
4. Retain legal and financial counsel. The recent COVID-19 outbreak has put the legality of many contracts into question as elective surgeries are put on hold and hospitals lay off or reduce hours for physicians. Having your legal and financial team at the ready can help you react quickly to unexpected complications now and to contract negotiations down the road.

If your residency is about to come to a close and you’re ready to take the next step on your career path, contact the financial planners at Larson Financial Group before signing any contract. We can connect you to a reputable contract lawyer, review your offer, and offer aspects of financial strategies to consider as you negotiate your future. To schedule your consultation, contact us today at 314-787-7399.

Advisory services offered through Larson Financial Group, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Larson Financial Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance services offered through Larson Financial Group, LLC, an insurance agency.

Larson Financial Group, LLC, utilizes MGMA software to gather national compensation comparison data and other relevant data to assist physicians in contract negotiation. 

When you’re swept up in the chaos of residency, the relaxing days of retirement seem like an unreachable dream. But your golden years are closer than you think, and the investment decisions you make in the first few years out of medical school can pay out big when you’re finally out of scrubs.

We know, with everything you have to sacrifice during residency—your freedom, your time with family, and of course your sleep—directing a portion of your salary to an account you can’t access for another 40 years feels like one more hit. The good news is, most employers will help you build a solid financial foundation for your future. And with the right investment advice, you can maximize both their financial contributions and yours.

Understanding your investment vehicles

Like most working professionals, residents have three retirement plans to choose from, each with their own pros and cons regarding distributions and taxation:

• Tax-deferred accounts – Contributions are made to tax-deferred accounts with pre-tax dollars, so when you do retire, your distributions will be taxed as income. Accounts can include a company-sponsored 401(k) or 403b, a traditional IRA, or a 457 plan for governmental employees. Most hospital systems will match residents’ contributions up to a certain amount—for instance, your employer may match half what you contribute, up to 6 percent of your pre-tax salary. Tax-deferred accounts are best for investors who are in a high tax bracket today and a low tax of bracket in the future.
• Taxable accounts – Contributions to traditional investment vehicles, such as brokerage accounts, bank accounts, and stocks and bonds, are made with after-tax dollars. While the financial risk of these accounts is low, your return on investment is as well. In addition, your account growth may be taxable.
• Tax–advantaged accounts – A tax-advantaged account may be a Roth 401(k) or 403b, a Roth IRA, or permanent life insurance. Because contributions are made with after-tax dollars, the withdrawals will be tax-free upon retirement, which is especially beneficial for older adults in a high tax bracket.

Getting the most from your investments

According to researchers, 68 percent of Americans worry they won’t have enough money saved to retire. Even in a high-income industry like healthcare, many providers struggle to save, especially when trying to pay off their medical school debt.

There are two crucial steps we believe every resident should take to protect their future income and reward themselves for their hard work.

1. Start contributing today! We understand the financial constraints you’re up against during residency, but the benefits of saving just a small portion of your salary to a tax-deferred account can quickly add up, especially if you contribute enough to take advantage of your employer’s matching fund program. For example, if your hospital matches up to 5 percent of your salary, but you only contribute 3 percent, you leave thousands of dollars in free money on the table. Plus, because contributions are pre-tax, it hurts a bit less in the moment. You may also consider contributing to a tax-advantaged Roth IRA in addition to your 401(k) or 403(b), but contributions are capped at $5,500 each year.
   
2. Make your move. Your income will be at its lowest during residency compared to any other time in your professional life moving forward if you remain in healthcare. That’s why we encourage residents to convert their tax-deferred account to a tax-advantaged account, such as a Roth IRA, upon graduation (or as early as you can) with both as low of income and as low of a balance as possible. When you retire, that money you earned in residency can be distributed tax-free, providing you with thousands more in retirement income. For instance, a graduate who converts $20,000 to a Roth IRA can potentially generate $5,000 more each year in income when they retire and benefit from $100,000 in tax savings. But before you do convert, it’s best to speak with a financial advisor to avoid any possible tax repercussions.

Partner with a planner who has a focus on your future

If you haven’t started contributing to a retirement account yet, don’t panic. Saving for the future can be overwhelming when you’re struggling with caring for a family, paying a mortgage and covering bills. However, a financial advisor who specializes in working with interns and residents can help you find room in your budget to save now so you don’t miss out on the benefits of an employer-matched retirement program. Contact the financial experts at Larson Financial Group today at 314-787-7399 to learn more about investment options for residents.

You’ve been warned over and over how stressful residency can be financially, but you never realize how taxing it can be until you’re actually in the trenches. While you’re trying to manage never-ending work weeks, a flood of patients, and overwhelming pressure, Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo are right next to you in the exam room, making sure you don’t forget about them, too.

For most residents, their plan to pay off those medical school loans comes down to making monthly payments and praying there’s enough money left over to splurge on a Starbucks Venti to get through another 14-hour workday. However, by meeting with a financial professional in those weeks between graduation and your residency start date, you can save hundreds of dollars each month and thousands of dollars over the course of your career.

Smarter financial planning from day one

While medical school trained you for your career, it most likely didn’t share the strategies necessary to take on the financial challenges faced after graduation. Larson Financial Group’s Doctor Without Quarters program suggests every med school graduate take three important steps to navigate the evolving federal loan landscape to protect their financial future.

1. Develop your monthly budget. Determine how much money you can allocate to your student loan payments when taking into account your current living expenses.
2. Understand the payoff options available to you. Depending on your career path, you may be eligible for a “Forgiveness Protection Plan” (FPP), an accelerated payment plan or refinancing.
3. Put a financial plan into place. A financial advisor who specializes in healthcare clients will help you develop an action plan that fits your budget and goals. Annual reviews with your consultant ensure you stay on track and bring your debt under control.

Debt repayment options for medical professionals

Debt repayment isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan. Your area of the country, your specialty if you choose one, and your current debt load all impact your choice of repayment options. A financial planner can help you decipher the choices available to find one that gets you out of debt faster with as little financial pain as possible while you’re building your career. Your options may include:

• Standard or extended-term repayment – This basic repayment plan allows you to make set payments toward your debt each month. However, because starting salaries for residents are just a fraction of what you’ll earn in the future, the cost often isn’t feasible for new doctors who took out significant loans.
• Forbearance – Forbearance is the “F” word in the student loan industry. When you defer your payments during residency, you not only continue to accrue interest, but your time in the field is not counted toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if you choose to go into academia or the nonprofit field. However, due to the CARES Act in response to COVID-19, residents can defer federal student loan payments from March through September without negatively impacting their loan forgiveness.
• Refinancing – Currently, student loan interest rates are the lowest they’ve been in years—variable rates range around one percent while fixed are hovering between three to four percent. While it may be worthwhile for some residents, in many cases, it’s best to refinance once you transition out of training or if you specialize in high-income practices like orthopedics. Over time, refinancing can save thousands in interest costs.
• PSLF – For those who choose PSLF, it’s best to begin repayment on your federal loans as soon as you become a resident. Your repayment plan will take into account your income, marital status and other factors, which can lower your payments in the short and long-term. Some options include:
  • Income-Based Repayment (IBR) – While IBR was the standard plan for a number of years by limiting your payment to 15 percent of your discretionary income, it has been pushed to the side for more financially-friendly repayment options.
  • Pay As You Earn (PAYE) – With PAYE, your payment is capped at 10 percent of your income and is adjusted annually based on changes to your career or household. Your debt is forgiven after 20 years, but is still taxable. PAYE is best for those facing financial hardship or on the lower end of the salary range.
  • Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) – For many professionals, REPAYE took the place of IBR as the amount of money you have to put forth initially is lower, and you’re getting interest forgiveness on half the amount. However, there’s no cap on the payment, which isn’t a great option if your spouse is making a significant income and you file your taxes jointly.

For example, Larson Financial Group worked with two married neurologists—the husband was PGY-3, while the wife was PGY-1. In reviewing their scenario, we discovered it made more sense for the husband to approach REPAYE, and for his wife to refinance her student loan. If she had chosen PSLF, her husband’s income would bump up her loan payments, although she made significantly less money. Low-interest rates made refinancing a much more attractive option as payments under REPAYE would eat up the majority of her starting salary.

Getting your plan into place

Financial experts say your house is the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, but for medical professionals, it’s their student loans that can affect their financial security for decades to come. With the average doctor owing $300,000 to $400,000 in loans, finding comfortable monthly payments, uncovering lower interest rates and paying off debt sooner is critical to your financial freedom.

Whether you’re choosing between PSLF or accelerating or refinancing payments, it’s critical to talk with a financial professional. Even though everyone’s career path is different, an experienced planner can save you tens of thousands over the life of your loan—and lessen the financial burden on your family today. To help develop a game plan before entering the medical field, talk to the experts at Larson Financial Group today to 314-787-7399 to set up a consultation.

Disclosure: 

Advisory services offered through Larson Financial Group, LLC. Doctors Without Quarters, a/k/a “DWOQ” is affiliated with Larson Financial Group.