How much money should physicians retire with?

How do you figure out how much you need to save for retirement? It can be complicated.

MD Advisors* use a number of assumptions about rates of return, inflation and other factors to generate projections in a retirement plan.

Assumptions used for retirement planning

One of the assumptions that MD Advisors use to generate projections is the rate of return on your investments. When creating your financial plan, it’s better to project longer-term returns on the conservative side so that you’re not left in a shortfall position.

Looking forward, what rates of return should you use when making retirement projections?

Considering long-term historical averages and a sustained low interest rate environment, MD Financial Management (MD Financial) currently uses 4% to 5% as the expected long-term rate of return for a balanced portfolio (60% equity, 40% fixed income).

Let’s look at an example and see how retirement planning would work for this physician.

Dr. Taylor is a 50-year-old ophthalmologist who plans to retire in 15 years. He currently has assets of $1.2 million (not including real estate) and is wondering if he is on track to meet his retirement goals.

Here are the basic assumptions that MD Advisors use to generate projections:

Rates of return

If Dr. Taylor’s assets are at $1.2 million now, how will they grow over the next 15 years? Using 4.5% (compounded annually) as the expected rate of return, Dr. Taylor’s balanced portfolio is projected to grow to $2.32 million by the time he retires, before fees and taxes.

MD Financial arrives at an expected rate of return based on historical data, current market conditions and future outlook. The assumptions for rate of return are reviewed regularly and updated as warranted. Adjustments to these assumptions will change the outcome.

Savings pattern

Investment growth is one thing, but Dr. Taylor also plans to continue saving. He doesn’t have a private pension plan, so by saving $30,000 each year, he will help build his retirement fund. Over 15 years, based on the same 4.5% expected rate of return, that’s an additional $651,600 — for a total of $2.97 million.

If Dr. Taylor does not save this amount on an ongoing basis or if he decides to withdraw money for other purposes, the outcome will change and the plan will need to be revisited to make the appropriate adjustments.

Government pensions

At retirement, Dr. Taylor may also be eligible for Old Age Security and the Canada Pension Plan. If he lived in Quebec, he might be eligible for the Quebec Pension Plan. At age 65, the maximum CPP and OAS payments are approximately $14,400 and $7,600 per year respectively.¹ But how do you know what the right amount should be now and in the future? MD Advisors come up with estimates based on your personal circumstances and inflation assumptions. While actual inflation is based on movements in the consumer price index, MD Advisors rely on assumptions about inflation over the long term.

Inflation

Let’s say Dr. Taylor would like a retirement income of $100,000 a year (in today’s dollars). In 15 years, the equivalent retirement income would be $134,600, once you factor in a 2% annual inflation rate. That 2% rate is an inflation assumption, but over the long term the actual inflation number can vary.

Life expectancy

MD Advisors use average life expectancy rates to set assumptions for how long a client might live. To help ensure Dr. Taylor doesn’t outlive his money, his financial plan assumes that he will live to at least age 95. Because some people will live much longer than the average life expectancy, it may make sense to create a plan that covers this possibility.

Withdrawal rate

Assuming Dr. Taylor lives to age 95, his investment portfolio would need to last 30 years (age 65 to 95). At a withdrawal rate of 4%, Dr. Taylor should be able to maintain his capital to the end of his life. Any changes to the withdrawals taken in retirement will need to be factored into the assumptions, and the plan updated accordingly. This may include withdrawals for vacations, home repairs, gifts to beneficiaries, and so on.

Financial plans need regular checkups

Your MD Advisor can estimate your retirement income using assumptions like the ones above. But these assumptions may need to be refined or adjusted over time.

Regular checkups with your MD Advisor — like regular medical checkups — can uncover problems before they start. This will ensure you’re on track to meet your financial goals.

Thoughtful planning and advice from MD Financial Management can help you save more and rest easier. Contact an MD Advisor to make the most of your RRSP and TFSA contributions.

* MD Advisor refers to an MD Management Limited Financial Consultant or Investment Advisor (in Quebec), or an MD Private Investment Counsel Portfolio Manager.

¹ Based on data provided by the Government of Canada as of November 1, 2021. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/payment-amounts.html https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security/payments.html

The above information should not be construed as offering specific financial, investment, foreign or domestic taxation, legal, accounting or similar professional advice nor is it intended to replace the advice of independent tax, accounting or legal professionals.