Episode 66: Getting Your Workplace Benefits Right for Year-End Planning

In Episode 66 of Doctor’s Wealth and Wellness, host Norm Wright, a Certified Financial Planner with SKC Financial Group, guides physicians through optimizing workplace benefits during open enrollment for year-end planning, emphasizing how these choices can save thousands in taxes, protect income, and accelerate retirement goals. Drawing on 2025 studies from Mercer, Fidelity, AMA, and Vanguard, Wright outlines three key strategies: maximizing Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions for triple tax advantages (up to $4,300 individual or $8,550 family, plus $1,000 catch-up for those over 55); enhancing disability and life insurance to safeguard high-earning incomes (aiming for 60-70% replacement and 5-10 times salary coverage); and fine-tuning 401(k) or 403(b) retirement contributions (up to $23,500, plus $7,500 catch-up for over 50s, balancing pre-tax and Roth options). With real-life examples from physicians like Dr. Sarah, Dr. Patel, and Dr. Chen, Wright stresses treating open enrollment as a financial checkup, urging listeners to take immediate action—such as reviewing benefits booklets or consulting a CFP—and challenges them to pick one strategy this week while offering a free consultation via [email protected] to align benefits with their unique needs for a prosperous 2026. Examples in this episode are hypothetical and not representative of a specific individual.