Making the most of your golden years
June 2025
Of people retiring, 86% prefer to live somewhere they can maintain their lifestyle.
story courtesy of Brandpoint
What makes for a good retirement? According to a survey administered by Empower Research, for most Americans, it’s about living well by affording experiences that bring joy (68%) and enjoying a high quality of life (49%), balanced by the security of reaching savings milestones (68%).
BIG AND LITTLE JOYS
Most Americans participating in the survey agree that satisfaction in retirement includes the ability to pay bills on time and in full (68%) and live debt-free (63%) — including owning a home outright (55%). Some 42% say it comes down to being able to enjoy new experiences, like the ability to travel the world and also give back by volunteering (25%).
EVERYTHING IN ITS TIME
Having a clear timeline brings peace of mind for many — 66% say they have a goal retirement age in mind, including 73% of men and 61% of women. Over two-thirds of Americans (67%) have savings milestones to reach before retirement — goals that they’re striving for, including setting aside funds for emergencies (57%), travel (33%) and leisure activities like starting a new hobby (32%). About the same number (68%) say their happiness in retirement depends most on reaching their retirement savings goal. Many Gen Xers emphasize leaving behind an inheritance for their children (42%).
TRAVEL AND LEISURE
When choosing a place to retire, most people (86%) prefer to live where they can maintain their lifestyle without stressing about money, and low cost of living (38%) factors are high on the list. For many, that means relocating, with 42% saying they plan to move to a different city or state to retire.
Some 37% prioritize proximity to family and friends, although 43% say they prefer to retire where it’s more affordable, even if it means being farther away from their loved ones. For others, home is where happiness already exists — 23% describe their current location as their happy place, where they want to stay.
Many see retirement as an opportunity for a fresh start; 16% of people imagine retiring in a different country altogether, seeking adventure and change in their golden years. Nearly two in five Gen Zers have set a goal for a travel fund (44%) in retirement.