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A brief guide to retirement planning for dentists
14 Aug 2025
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Dentists across the UK face unique challenges when planning for retirement. A mix of complex NHS pensions along with income from private practice and succession planning can make this process feel like pulling teeth.
Thankfully, with a bit of forward planning and expert advice, retirement planning for dentists need not feel stressful and can actually be a process that makes you look forward to a brighter, work-free future.
WR Partners are specialist advisors to dentists across the country and have helped countless now former practitioners enjoy a happy retirement.
Why retirement planning is crucial for dentists
Whereas salaried employees have a single income stream, dentists tend to earn income from a number of different sources.
For instance, while they may earn a percentage of their income from NHS work, dentists may also make money from private dentistry, be it in a practice they own or work in. These multiple income streams make retirement planning for dentists a bit more complicated, but no less important.
Those looking to retire may not wish to leave dentistry altogether, too. Some may prefer to just reduce their hours and keep practising on clients whom they’ve treated for years. There needs to be careful planning to ensure that this vision for a better work-life balance becomes a reality.
Finally, additional complexities can arise when a dentist is looking to sell their practice or pass it down to a new generation of dentists. All of this requires specialist advice to ensure these plans protect your hard-earned assets and don’t erode wealth.
Four key steps to plan your retirement as a dentist
The faster you align your financial strategy with the lifestyle you want upon semi or permanent retirement, you’ll be much better equipped to retire on your terms.
Here are four of the first key decisions you need to make.
- Review pension options: Begin by understanding how your NHS and private pensions (if applicable) will contribute to your retirement income.
- Plan your exit: Decide if you wish to sell your practice, hand it over, or scale down operations for a more balanced work life. Remember, each decision will have specific financial implications.
- Set lifestyle goals: Confirm with yourself and with loved ones what sort of retirement you want so that you can guide early financial decisions towards that dream.
- Consider tax and succession: Early estate planning and smart structuring can protect your legacy and mitigate future tax burdens.
How a specialist accountant can help
You rightly place too much importance on your post-practice future to settle for a generalist accountant who doesn’t appreciate the nuances around retirement planning for dentists.
Working with a specialist accountant such as the ones you’ll find right here at WR Partners means they’re able to:
- Map out the most tax-efficient route to retirement.
- Prepare for any eventual sale or succession handover of your practice.
- Help structure income from multiple sources.
- Navigate Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax.
We understand the unique pressures faced by dentists who are looking to retire and will be by your side to help you achieve the retirement you’ve dreamt of.
Start planning for your retirement today
Speak to one of our experts here at WR Partners to start building a retirement strategy tailored to your goals.
