Aging is associated with decreases in cognitive function and psychomotor performance, from which the surgeon is not exempt and suffers in this situation, an important factor in deciding when to retire. Currently, both in countries in the northern hemisphere and in Chile there are no established and standardized requirements, nor universal consensus, on when or at what time a surgeon should stop performing surgical procedures or retire. This article highlights the importance of the surgeon of retirement age for the medical community and gives an overview based on evidence and discusses each of the factors involved in the decision of how to face retirement. The reviewed background does not favor a mandatory retirement age because the onset of age-related decline in clinical performance varies among individuals. The objective assessment of fitness should replace the consideration of a mandatory retirement age. Institutional strategies must be established for strict re-certification and re-accreditation and timely retirement. A surgeon should not be forced into retirement at a predetermined age but should be able to practice as long as his or her surgical skills are objectively maintained at the appropriate level of competence.