![\"lawyers](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lawyers-struggle-with-retirement.jpg?resize=770%2C495&ssl=1\" "\\"\\"")
Table of contents<\/h2>\n\n- Why Do Lawyers Struggle With Retirement? (It\u2019s Not About Money)<\/a><\/li>\n
- When Work Becomes Who You Are<\/a><\/li>\n
- Fighting the \u2018Just One More Year\u2019 Mentality<\/a><\/li>\n
- Retirement as a Beginning<\/a><\/li>\n
- Try Before You Commit<\/a><\/li>\n
- The Missing Half of Your Retirement Plan<\/a><\/li>\n
- Your Turn to Decide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Related Reading on Attorney at Work<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
Why Do Lawyers Struggle With Retirement? (It\u2019s Not About Money)<\/h2>\n
I have the privilege of talking with lawyers about retirement all the time. I often hear something to the tune of, \u201cI\u2019m probably five years away from retiring, but honestly, I have no idea what I\u2019d actually do.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s typically not the money. That\u2019s not the issue.<\/p>\n
Rather, it\u2019s the lack of a vision for what comes next. And that\u2019s the part that keeps so many attorneys chained to their desks long after they\u2019re ready to leave.<\/p>\n
When Work Becomes Who You Are<\/h2>\n
Here\u2019s what makes retirement planning for lawyers different from almost any other profession: The law is more than just what you do. It\u2019s a part of you.\u00a0It\u2019s who you\u2019ve been for decades.<\/p>\n
Everything you\u2019ve built \u2014 reputation, expertise, identity \u2014 all revolves around being an attorney. Walking away from that feels like losing yourself.<\/p>\n
I get it. The thought of introducing yourself at a dinner party without mentioning you\u2019re a lawyer feels uncomfortable. Maybe even a little scary.<\/p>\n
Fighting the \u2018Just One More Year\u2019 Mentality<\/h2>\n
This identity crisis shows up in a predictable way: Procrastination.<\/p>\n
Lawyers tell themselves they need to save just a bit more. Hit one more milestone. Take on one more case. But I\u2019ve seen the brokerage statements. Most of the time, the money is already there.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s really happening? You\u2019re avoiding the harder question: What does a meaningful life look like when you\u2019re not practicing law? Without an answer to that question, it\u2019s easier to keep working.<\/p>\n
The problem is that retirement eventually happens whether you\u2019re ready or not. A health scare. A firm restructure. Pure exhaustion. When someone else decides for you, your choices can disappear fast.<\/p>\n
Retirement as a Beginning<\/h2>\n
Retirement means starting something new<\/a>, not ending your career.<\/p>\nThe attorneys I work with who make the smoothest transitions are those who view retirement as their next phase, not their final one. Some become mediators or teach at law schools. Others focus on pro bono cases they always wanted to take but never had time for. A few finally write that book or travel to places they\u2019ve been reading about for years.<\/p>\n
Read \u201cThe Second Act: How Successful Lawyers Are Redefining Retirement<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nThe point isn\u2019t what you choose. The point is choosing something and building a vision around it.<\/p>\n
Try Before You Commit<\/h2>\n
You wouldn\u2019t buy a house without walking through it first. Don\u2019t treat retirement any differently.<\/p>\n
Start testing what your post-law life might look like while you\u2019re still working. Take an extended sabbatical if your firm allows it. Cut back to part-time for six months. Pick up a hobby that\u2019s been sitting on your \u201csomeday\u201d list. I know, easier said than done. But aren\u2019t most things that are worth pursuing?<\/p>\n
These experiments give you real feedback about what you actually enjoy doing when work isn\u2019t filling your calendar.<\/p>\n
And here\u2019s the financial glue that can bond that vision together: Once you know for certain that your savings can support you, the biggest excuse for staying disappears.<\/p>\n
The Missing Half of Your Retirement Plan<\/h2>\n
Most lawyers I meet have done some preliminary math around retirement. They know their nest egg number. They\u2019ve mapped out their expenses (always the most tedious part of this journey).<\/p>\n
But these lawyers struggle with retirement because they\u2019ve completely ignored the other half. The part about how they\u2019ll spend their days. What activities will give them purpose. How they\u2019ll stay engaged with the world.<\/p>\n
You need both pieces.<\/p>\n
A solid financial plan gives you freedom. A solid life plan gives you fulfillment.<\/p>\n
Start working on both now. The earlier you begin, the more options you\u2019ll have when it\u2019s time to make the move. That\u2019s all retirement planning is at its bare foundation \u2014 building options for yourself.<\/p>\n
Your Turn to Decide<\/h2>\n
A practical way to start is to ask yourself, if your calendar cleared tomorrow, what would you fill it with? Not what you think you\u2019re supposed to say. What would you actually want to do? Answer that honestly. Then build a financial plan that supports it.<\/p>\n
Retirement planning for lawyers requires having enough money and<\/em> creating a life you\u2019re excited to step into.<\/p>\nInterested in how finances connect with retirement purpose? My weekly newsletter, Money Meets Law,<\/a> dives into it. Sign up and join the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\nRelated Reading on Attorney at Work<\/h2>\n\n- Five Ways a Sabbatical Can Help You Assess Retirement<\/a> by Camille Stell<\/li>\n
- Taming the Financial Beast: How Attorneys Can Improve Financial Well-Being<\/a> by David Hunter<\/li>\n
- Financial Planning Made Simple: 4 Vital Signs You Need to Track<\/a> by David Hunter<\/li>\n
- Life After Law: Why Do So Many Men Postpone Retirement?<\/a> by Camille Stell<\/li>\n
- Prepare Yourself for a Happy Lawyer Retirement<\/a> by Ida Abbott<\/li>\n
- Are You Financially Ready for Retirement?<\/a> by Camille Stell<\/li>\n
- Small Business Retirement Plans: A Strategic Investment for Law Firm Owners<\/a> by David Hunter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Image \u00a9 iStockPhoto.com. <\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/AttorneyatWork-Logo-%C2%AE-2021-1.jpg?resize=372%2C106&ssl=1\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\nSign up for Attorney at Work\u2019s daily practice tips newsletter here<\/a> and subscribe to our podcast<\/a>, Attorney at Work Today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"David Hunter | Yes, lawyers ask about having enough money for retirement. But those questions often mask what they\u2019re really worried about. The post Why Lawyers Struggle With Retirement (It\u2019s Not What You Think) appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers. The biggest reason lawyers struggle with retirement usually surprises […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal_matters"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=135660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135660\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=135660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=135660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Why Do Lawyers Struggle With Retirement? (It\u2019s Not About Money)<\/h2>\n
I have the privilege of talking with lawyers about retirement all the time. I often hear something to the tune of, \u201cI\u2019m probably five years away from retiring, but honestly, I have no idea what I\u2019d actually do.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s typically not the money. That\u2019s not the issue.<\/p>\n
Rather, it\u2019s the lack of a vision for what comes next. And that\u2019s the part that keeps so many attorneys chained to their desks long after they\u2019re ready to leave.<\/p>\n
When Work Becomes Who You Are<\/h2>\n
Here\u2019s what makes retirement planning for lawyers different from almost any other profession: The law is more than just what you do. It\u2019s a part of you.\u00a0It\u2019s who you\u2019ve been for decades.<\/p>\n
Everything you\u2019ve built \u2014 reputation, expertise, identity \u2014 all revolves around being an attorney. Walking away from that feels like losing yourself.<\/p>\n
I get it. The thought of introducing yourself at a dinner party without mentioning you\u2019re a lawyer feels uncomfortable. Maybe even a little scary.<\/p>\n
Fighting the \u2018Just One More Year\u2019 Mentality<\/h2>\n
This identity crisis shows up in a predictable way: Procrastination.<\/p>\n
Lawyers tell themselves they need to save just a bit more. Hit one more milestone. Take on one more case. But I\u2019ve seen the brokerage statements. Most of the time, the money is already there.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s really happening? You\u2019re avoiding the harder question: What does a meaningful life look like when you\u2019re not practicing law? Without an answer to that question, it\u2019s easier to keep working.<\/p>\n
The problem is that retirement eventually happens whether you\u2019re ready or not. A health scare. A firm restructure. Pure exhaustion. When someone else decides for you, your choices can disappear fast.<\/p>\n
Retirement as a Beginning<\/h2>\n
Retirement means starting something new<\/a>, not ending your career.<\/p>\n The attorneys I work with who make the smoothest transitions are those who view retirement as their next phase, not their final one. Some become mediators or teach at law schools. Others focus on pro bono cases they always wanted to take but never had time for. A few finally write that book or travel to places they\u2019ve been reading about for years.<\/p>\n Read \u201cThe Second Act: How Successful Lawyers Are Redefining Retirement<\/a>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The point isn\u2019t what you choose. The point is choosing something and building a vision around it.<\/p>\n You wouldn\u2019t buy a house without walking through it first. Don\u2019t treat retirement any differently.<\/p>\n Start testing what your post-law life might look like while you\u2019re still working. Take an extended sabbatical if your firm allows it. Cut back to part-time for six months. Pick up a hobby that\u2019s been sitting on your \u201csomeday\u201d list. I know, easier said than done. But aren\u2019t most things that are worth pursuing?<\/p>\n These experiments give you real feedback about what you actually enjoy doing when work isn\u2019t filling your calendar.<\/p>\n And here\u2019s the financial glue that can bond that vision together: Once you know for certain that your savings can support you, the biggest excuse for staying disappears.<\/p>\n Most lawyers I meet have done some preliminary math around retirement. They know their nest egg number. They\u2019ve mapped out their expenses (always the most tedious part of this journey).<\/p>\n But these lawyers struggle with retirement because they\u2019ve completely ignored the other half. The part about how they\u2019ll spend their days. What activities will give them purpose. How they\u2019ll stay engaged with the world.<\/p>\n You need both pieces.<\/p>\n A solid financial plan gives you freedom. A solid life plan gives you fulfillment.<\/p>\n Start working on both now. The earlier you begin, the more options you\u2019ll have when it\u2019s time to make the move. That\u2019s all retirement planning is at its bare foundation \u2014 building options for yourself.<\/p>\n A practical way to start is to ask yourself, if your calendar cleared tomorrow, what would you fill it with? Not what you think you\u2019re supposed to say. What would you actually want to do? Answer that honestly. Then build a financial plan that supports it.<\/p>\n Retirement planning for lawyers requires having enough money and<\/em> creating a life you\u2019re excited to step into.<\/p>\n Interested in how finances connect with retirement purpose? My weekly newsletter, Money Meets Law,<\/a> dives into it. Sign up and join the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n Image \u00a9 iStockPhoto.com. <\/p>\n Sign up for Attorney at Work\u2019s daily practice tips newsletter here<\/a> and subscribe to our podcast<\/a>, Attorney at Work Today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" David Hunter | Yes, lawyers ask about having enough money for retirement. But those questions often mask what they\u2019re really worried about. The post Why Lawyers Struggle With Retirement (It\u2019s Not What You Think) appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers. The biggest reason lawyers struggle with retirement usually surprises […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal_matters"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=135660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135660\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=135660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=135660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Try Before You Commit<\/h2>\n
The Missing Half of Your Retirement Plan<\/h2>\n
Your Turn to Decide<\/h2>\n
Related Reading on Attorney at Work<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n