The golden years can allow people to indulge in experiences they couldn’t fit into their schedules earlier in life.
Retirement can bring an influx of free time, a well-earned break after dealing with the demands of professional life. For some retirees, the arrival of retirement can be like a trip to a buffet of leisure activities; for others, it’s natural to see blank space on the calendar and wonder how to fill it.
Getting a sense of the income needed in retirement can help guide people to fill up their cups with what will bring them joy. Americans are actively working toward their retirement savings goals, with the average amount standing at $491,022. Some in their 60s are already retirement millionaires, with the average saver in that group holding over $1.1 million.
Retirement can also change daily spending habits, which can call back to another time people’s incomes took a sudden turn. Consumers saw a shift in spending during the pandemic, with early income gains contributing to more disposable income.1 Similarly, people in retirement who used to have daily expenses that are no longer relevant — commuting, professional apparel, daily coffee runs — can free up those dollars to spend elsewhere.
As retirees consider putting their dollars toward things they’d been putting off or saving up for, it’s a balance of making the fun — and funds — last.
1. Explore the world
Travel like there’s no tomorrow
The golden years may be time for travel to shine: Some 13% of Americans say they’re delaying big travel plans until they retire, according to Empower research.
If people haven’t already put together a “bucket list” of travel destinations, retirement is a great time to let the imagination run wild. The flexibility of being able to head off during a typical work week can unlock deals and leave wiggle room for longer stints like a road trip.
Empower findings show that 42% of people think traveling the world brings joy in retirement. Depending on money management and the power of compounding, older adults may have more to spend on trips than younger generations. From January to July this year, Baby Boomers spent a monthly average of $1,593 on travel, compared to Millennials, who spent $1,236.
Consider a new home
Without the commitment of an office commute or daily drop-offs, people may also want to set down new roots in retirement. Some could hold on to their empty-nest home — the U.S. had over 20 million of them in 2022 — though moving in retirement can help meet essential needs as priorities change. Decisions like whether to buy or rent a home, or if relocating to an active-adult community makes sense are a good place to start in the search for a forever home.
2. Give back to others
Volunteering time
Empower research found that 25% of Americans think volunteering makes for a happy retirement. With more free time during the work week, retirees can find opportunities at places like animal shelters, hospitals, and outreach organizations. Just as the wider community benefits, volunteering can give people a sense of purpose and a chance to dive further into their hobbies like art or leverage skills from a previous career. Building relationships during retirement through mentoring can inspire younger generations and bring fulfillment by sharing years of workforce knowledge.
Making space for caregiving
The cost of daycare has been a growing concern for working parents. Families can pay a median of $44,000 in the U.S. to send one child to daycare for five years, and in several metro areas, that price can jump to over $100,000.
Grandparents are often seen as an alternative to daycare, and 20% of people with grandchildren under 18 care for one or more of them at least once a week. That number grows as the daily commitment drops: Close to half of grandparents (49%) care for a grandchild at least once every few months.
The freedom of retirement can align with childcare needs, and caregiving can benefit both the grandparents and wider family. In general, grandparents who saw their grandkids on a more regular basis were less likely to identify feelings of isolation.
3. Focus on well-being
Healthcare expenses in retirement can often jump with age, considering the potential for more doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, and long-term care. In addition to possible demand going higher, healthcare itself is expected to cost more, too. It’s been projected that the average annual growth in healthcare expenditures (5.6%) will outpace that of the U.S. gross domestic product (4.3%) through 2032.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the number one chronic health condition among older adults, affecting more than three in five Americans age 65 and above. Keeping an eye on weight, stress, and exercise levels can help prevent the need for initial treatment and fend off the wider risks of heart disease and stroke. In 2019, people with high blood pressure paid $2,759 more in medical costs compared with people without the condition.
Americans stand behind the importance of staying fit, with a whopping 70% of people believing that health equals wealth.
4. Add a furry friend
Whether a person has been a lifelong pet parent or thinking about getting one, pets can boost mood and emotional health among older adults in particular. Regular walks for Fido can bring some structure to a daily schedule in retirement and promote more outdoor time.
Americans spent $318 a month on pet expenses in 2024, according to Empower Personal Dashboard data, and retirees can see this as an investment in companionship. Empower findings show that nearly all pet owners (94%) consider their pets family members.
5. Socialize with family and friends
No need to squeeze in meetups during peak lunch and dinner hours when there’s time to spare — retirement can bring flexibility to visit loved ones at a more leisurely pace. With inflation and economic uncertainty affecting decisions on dining out, traffic to U.S. restaurants has dropped 1.7% so far in 2025. However, some restaurants like McDonald’s and IHOP offer senior discounts to sweeten the meal.
Keep spending within retirement budget
When it comes to a retirement timeline, many people focus on time well spent. Empower research reveals that 48% of Americans would rather have a longer retirement period with less money, compared with retiring later in life with more.
Making sure retirement savings can fulfill those dreams is important at any age. Retirees should account for ways they’ll receive income during retirement, such as through Social Security and required minimum distributions from savings plans.
As people start tapping their retirement savings, being honest with their spending patterns in retirement will be essential to update a budget and make sure they’re still on track for retiring well.
