What about my hospital's pension?

If you're at a hospital that still offers a defined-benefit pension, model the projected monthly amount as retirement income (not as a balance). Verify the funding status of the plan annually.

I'm picking up shifts. Does that change my retirement?

Yes — extra income that goes into a 403(b)/401(k) is the highest-leverage retirement contribution you can make. The catch-up provision after age 50 lets you contribute even more.

Travel nursing complicates my taxes. Does it complicate retirement?

Marginally. Each agency may sponsor its own retirement plan; consolidating into a rollover IRA when you change agencies keeps your statement simple.

By profession · Registered nurse

Retirement planning for nurses

A profession-specific look at the retirement levers a registered nurse actually has — pension rules, tax-advantaged accounts, and the Social Security wrinkles unique to your job.

Last reviewed May 4, 2026

Editorial review pending — see editorial process

The retirement landscape for a registered nurse

Pension

Nurses at hospital systems often have access to a defined-contribution 403(b) or 401(k) with employer match. VA and some state hospitals still offer pensions.

Tax-advantaged accounts

403(b) (non-profit and church hospitals), 401(k) (for-profit hospitals), HSA if on a high-deductible plan. The HSA is the most tax-advantaged retirement vehicle Americans have.

Social Security

Most nurses pay into Social Security normally. Travel nurses with W-2 income from multiple states should verify their earnings record annually at ssa.gov.

Run the calculator with a typical registered nurse starting point

Pre-filled: age 42, savings $220,000. Adjust to your actual numbers from there.

Run my numbers →

Frequently asked

What about my hospital's pension?
If you're at a hospital that still offers a defined-benefit pension, model the projected monthly amount as retirement income (not as a balance). Verify the funding status of the plan annually.
I'm picking up shifts. Does that change my retirement?
Yes — extra income that goes into a 403(b)/401(k) is the highest-leverage retirement contribution you can make. The catch-up provision after age 50 lets you contribute even more.
Travel nursing complicates my taxes. Does it complicate retirement?
Marginally. Each agency may sponsor its own retirement plan; consolidating into a rollover IRA when you change agencies keeps your statement simple.

Primary sources

Every profession-specific rule above traces to one of these primary sources. We re-verify each link annually; current as of the last-reviewed date below.