Career Pivot on the Horizon: Planning for Burnout Prevention and Financial Independence
Current State of Finances
Dr. Melissa Carter, a 45-year-old specialist in internal medicine, has built a thriving career over the past 15 years. She earns over $500,000 annually and has saved consistently, accumulating roughly $2.5 million in investable assets spread across her 401(k), backdoor Roth IRAs, and a growing taxable brokerage account. She and her husband, who works part-time, are raising two young children in the Bay Area. Their home has appreciated significantly, adding to their overall net worth.
Melissa is starting to feel the effects of burnout. The long hours and high demands of her profession are beginning to take a toll—and for the first time, she’s seriously questioning how much longer she can sustain her current pace. She doesn’t want to stop working altogether, but she’s eager for a future with more flexibility. Her long-term goal remains financial independence, but in the near term, her priority is creating space for a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
She came to us asking: Can I afford to cut back? And if so, how soon?
Financial Advisor Insights: What are we thinking about?
Tax Strategy During Peak Earnings
With Melissa still in her high-earning years, we prioritize maximizing retirement contributions—including backdoor Roth IRAs and a mega backdoor Roth strategy through her 401(k) plan. We also incorporated tax-loss harvesting and asset location techniques across her portfolio to reduce ongoing tax drag.
By front-loading contributions and accelerating deductions while her income is high, we want her set up for future flexibility while minimizing her current tax burden.
Protecting the Foundation
As Melissa prepares to shift toward part-time work, we help her understand how that decision affects her overall financial safety net. We walk through the implications for cash flow, health coverage, and long-term family support.
We also consider asset protection strategies appropriate for a physician, guiding conversations around risk and coordinating with her attorney, especially as she transitions to a more independent or part-time work model with new potential liability risks.
A Sustainable Path Forward
Burnout doesn’t mean the end of a career—it’s often a signal that something needs to shift. Our work with Melissa centers on giving her permission and a plan to step back with confidence. With the right structure in place, she’s now charting a path toward part-time work, increased time with family, and a future that still supports long-term financial independence.
What’s Next?
Use the link below to choose whether you would like to fill out a form or schedule a call to receive a proposal for your financial plan. An initial call is completely free allows us to discuss whether our working together is a good fit.