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October 2025 - Health

Nearly two-thirds of doctors feel confident about leading a fulfilling life after medicine, a new report finds: A recent report about doctors’ retirement plans reveals the majority (63%) are confident about leading fulfilling lives after medicine. About a quarter (26%) expect to feel "fine" with their decision to retire, while the same percentage anticipates feeling relieved.

Medscape surveyed 799 UK doctors between March 27 – July 14, 2025, to explore when they plan to retire, their primary motivations for leaving medicine, and whether they feel they will be able to retire comfortably.   The report finds that exactly half (50%) think they will have left medicine by their early 60s; however, nearly a fifth (19%) still expect to be practising medicine in their 70s, 80s, or beyond. Notably, an analysis by age shows that those aged 45 and older are more likely to continue in medicine into their late 70s and 80s, while younger doctors state they intend to retire in their 40s and 50s.

Burnout is cited as a primary reason many respondents expect to retire by their early 60s, with almost three-fifths (59%) identifying it as an issue. Nevertheless, the most common motivator for early retirement among this group is the desire for more time to explore personal interests and hobbies, with nearly seven out of ten (68%) noting this as their top reason. Additionally, almost half (46%) mentioned wanting to spend more time with family and friends. Significantly, just a third (35%) of those surveyed who intend to retire by their early 60s believe they will have saved enough money for a comfortable retirement.

For doctors expecting to continue a career in medicine into their late sixties and beyond, the findings reveal that two-thirds (66%) feel they will still have more to contribute as doctors.  Nearly six in 10 (59%) recognise that medicine is a major part of their identity, while a third (32%) state that it is their passion. Within this group, nearly two-fifths (37%) admit that they may not have saved enough to retire early.

Overall, the findings indicate that more than half (54%) of doctors are confident they will have sufficient funds to retire comfortably (particularly those aged 45 and over), while for one in ten (9%), the reverse is true.

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