Most surgeons wait until 12–18 months before retirement to think about selling their practice—by then, leverage and tax options are already limited. This article lays out a five‑year, physician‑specific exit protocol that helps you separate personal goodwill, diversify revenue, recruit an associate, and structure a sale that supports both your valuation and after‑tax proceeds.

Most surgeons move on after filing taxes, but the months between April 15 and year-end can be the most important planning window of the year. This article explains four high-impact moves—S-Corp salary review, cash balance plan setup, entity structure evaluation, and Roth conversion analysis—and why acting earlier creates more options