Residents & fellows
A plan for training.
Student loans, coverage and saving—alongside the demands of residency. Start with the decisions in front of you.
During residency
Make room for the essentials.
You do not need an attending salary to begin planning. During training, the work is to understand your loans, protect your future income, and build saving habits that fit your budget.
We help you put these choices in order, so a long list becomes a manageable next step.
Your first priorities
Build the foundation.
Student loans & PSLF
Review your loan types, repayment options and employer eligibility. If you are pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness, understand employment certification and how qualifying payments are tracked.
Explore loan strategyDisability coverage
Review your employer benefits and the terms of individual own-occupation coverage. Consider exclusions, benefit limits, future purchase options and how coverage may change with your specialty or employer.
Explore income protectionRoth contributions & early savings
Discuss whether Roth contributions fit your current income, tax position and cash needs. Build reserves alongside retirement savings, and review the benefits available through your training program.
Explore retirement planningFederal or private debt
Compare rates, repayment flexibility and federal protections before considering refinancing. Keep that decision connected to your forgiveness eligibility and expected career path.
Moonlighting income
Additional shifts can change your cash flow, taxes and loan repayment calculations. Plan for the obligations of 1099 income before deciding what is available to spend or save.
Common questions.
Is planning worth it during residency?
When should I look at disability insurance?
Should I contribute to a Roth during residency?
Does the end of Grad PLUS affect me if I'm already in residency?
Questions residents ask.
In the order they usually come up, from the benefits form to the move to fellowship.
- Should I use my hospital's 457(b)?Why it matters whether your hospital is a government employer or a nonprofit, and what to ask HR.
- 403(b), 457(b) or Roth IRA: which comes first in residency?What each account asks of you, and why the order depends on your plan more than on a rule of thumb.
- What happens to my retirement accounts when I leave residency?Your options for an old 403(b) or 457(b) when you move to fellowship or a first job, and what to collect first.
- Grad PLUS is gone. How do medical students borrow now?What changed on July 1, 2026, who keeps the old rules, and what to ask your financial aid office.
- Private medical school loans: what do you give up?What a private loan doesn't carry that a federal one does, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Looking ahead
Before your first attending role.
A new contract changes your benefits, income and loan decisions. Review your plan before the transition, with time to compare the options.
Planning for early-career attendingsStart with your next decision.
Bring your questions about loans, benefits or saving during training.