Retirement doesn’t look the same for everyone. You might be excited to explore long-postponed interests, want to continue contributing but in new and different ways or be unsure about what’s next.

Whether you're thinking about stepping back or restructuring your clinical or non-clinical time, exiting or closing a practice, exploring non-medical opportunities, or leaving medicine altogether, now is a good time to reflect.

Below are some useful prompts to help you start thinking about your own definition of retirement and how ready you feel to make the transition:

• What is my current view on retirement?
• What do I want this next chapter to look like?
• Am I planning to scale back gradually or stop all medical work at once?
• Could I start a parallel non-clinical path—such as research, teaching, or advisory roles—while still working?
• How do I typically manage major transitions and change?
• How much is being a ‘doctor’ part of my identity?
• What do I do when I’m not being a doctor?
• If I wanted to retire this week, could I? Am I practically, emotionally, and financially prepared?
• What support, resources or conversations might help me move forward?

If, after contemplating these questions, you feel you would like more support to prepare for and navigate this important transition our Careers Team is here to help.

A Retirement Ready Chat is a free 15-minute conversation with our careers team to explore your situation, talk through next steps, and consider what a fulfilling retirement could look like for you. It is exclusive to AMA Victoria members. 

If you're starting to think seriously about your options, you don’t have to figure it out alone.