Saving for retirement as a dentist

Introduction: The value in thinking ahead

Retirement is something most dentists look forward to − particularly on a Monday morning. However, those thoughts are often little more than a whimsical cocktail of not having to work and prolonged holidays. The reality could be rather different.

For a start, retirement has increasingly become a gradual process, with part-time work often playing an important role. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that 15% of men and 10% of women aged 65 and over are still in employment.

Ensuring you have enough to live on in retirement isn’t straightforward. In a 2025 report, updated calculations from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association showed that a couple who wish to enjoy a moderate standard of living in retirement now need a net annual income of £43,900. Not planning adequately for your later years could have a serious impact.

Please note that all examples included in this guide are fictitious.

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