Four Ways to Prepare for a Retirement Full of Travel

An older couple walk outside of an airport, pulling their luggage.

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By Kenneth Connally, CFP®, CMT®, CIMA®, MBA

published 28 December 2024

Retirement is the perfect opportunity to fulfill lifelong dreams and enjoy experiences that may have felt out of reach during the hustle and bustle of working years. If travel tops your retirement bucket list, careful planning can make your vision a reality. Here are four key steps to help you prepare for a retirement full of adventure while keeping your finances in check.

1. Tally up your finances and define your travel budget

Before booking flights or mapping out destinations, take a thorough look at your finances. Understanding your financial picture is the first and most essential step to ensuring that travel can be an ongoing part of your retirement, rather than a one-time splurge. Begin by identifying your available income sources and setting a travel budget based on your financial foundation.

Guaranteed income. Assess your monthly income from Social Security, pensions or other annuities. Knowing the amount of guaranteed money you have coming in each month will help you understand how much you can dedicate to travel without dipping into your primary retirement savings too aggressively.
Retirement savings and the 4% rule. Once you know your fixed income, consider your retirement savings. A common guideline for withdrawals is the "4% rule," which suggests drawing no more than 4% of your retirement savings each year. This approach helps ensure your funds last for a few decades without running the risk of depleting your accounts too quickly. For instance, if you have $600,000 saved, aim to limit your withdrawals to about $24,000 annually, excluding income from fixed sources.
Credit card rewards. Use travel reward credit cards to help offset costs. Many cards offer points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels or car rentals, saving you potentially thousands of dollars over time. Take advantage of welcome bonuses or specific category rewards (such as for dining or gas) to maximize points.

2. Set clear, measurable travel goals

Once your budget is established, it’s time to define what your ideal travel experience looks like. Setting measurable goals will keep your plans focused and attainable. Start by answering some essential questions:

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How often do you want to travel? Determine the frequency of your travels. Are you planning for a one-time celebratory trip, a biannual vacation or an extended journey every few months? Your travel frequency will play a significant role in budgeting and planning.
What’s your long-term vision? Consider how long you envision traveling in retirement. Will you be ready to slow down after a few years, or is travel a long-term commitment that could last a decade or more? Having a rough idea of your long-term goals will help with financial planning and give you something exciting to work toward over time.
Do you have other financial goals? Consider how travel fits alongside your other financial goals. Perhaps you’re interested in helping your grandchildren with education costs or paying down a mortgage. Being clear about your travel goals relative to these other priorities will make it easier to determine how much you can spend on trips.

Set time frames for each of these goals and prioritize them to create a clear road map. Identifying your travel priorities — frequency, duration and style — will also provide direction for logistical and financial planning.

3. Think through travel logistics

Planning travel in retirement is more complex than choosing destinations. Several logistical factors play a crucial role in ensuring your travels are enjoyable and safe. Here’s a breakdown of considerations to keep in mind:

Health and insurance. If you have any medical conditions, speak with your doctor to determine whether extensive travel is advisable. Consider purchasing travel insurance, especially for international trips, to cover any emergencies or cancellations. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check if it offers coverage for emergencies outside of the U.S.; otherwise, supplemental travel medical insurance might be necessary.
Safety and security. Safety is paramount, especially if you plan to leave home for extended periods. Consider installing a security system, asking a trusted neighbor to check on your house or hiring a house-sitting service.
Family and travel companions. If you’re planning to travel with family, whether children or grandchildren, decide early on who will cover expenses. Paying for additional travel companions can be a rewarding but significant financial commitment, so it’s essential to include this in your budgeting if family travel is part of your vision.

4. Plan for flexibility and create contingency options

As you prepare for travel, it’s wise to remain flexible and create contingency plans for unexpected events. A little extra preparation can go a long way toward ensuring that your travels are both enjoyable and sustainable over the long term.

Building flexibility into your budget. Travel expenses can be unpredictable. Consider setting aside an extra portion of your budget specifically for unplanned expenses, such as sudden medical needs, emergency returns or unexpected itinerary changes. Having a cushion will make it easier to enjoy your travels without financial stress when something unexpected arises.
Managing health and fitness on the road. Keeping up with your health while traveling is vital to sustain longer adventures. Plan for regular exercise during your travels, whether it's walking through cities, hiking or simply stretching. Pack any necessary medications and consider a compact health kit with essentials, especially if traveling to remote areas. Additionally, staying in touch with your primary care provider or even exploring telehealth options for minor health concerns can give you peace of mind.
Researching local resources. Before embarking on a new destination, research local amenities. Are there accessible pharmacies or medical centers? Are there reputable places to stay that can accommodate any specific needs? Knowing what’s available before you arrive can make unexpected situations easier to handle and allow you to fully enjoy each destination.

Retirement is a new chapter filled with opportunities, and travel can be one of the most fulfilling ways to enjoy it. But beyond financial readiness, mental preparation is key to truly enjoying this stage of life. By setting clear travel goals, envisioning how each adventure fits into your lifestyle and planning with both flexibility and foresight, you can embark on meaningful journeys that bring fulfillment to this next act of your life. Let your retirement be the beginning of the adventures you've always dreamed of — one destination at a time.

Planning for retirement should include not just investment gains but life gains. Are you aligning your life and wealth? Take a free quiz here.

This article is for your information and guidance and is not intended as investment, tax or legal advice. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be attributed to Summit Financial LLC. Links to websites are provided for your convenience and informational purposes only. Summit Financial LLC is not responsible for the information contained on third-party websites. Investment advisory and financial planning services are offered through Summit Financial LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser, doing business as Conway Wealth.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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Kenneth serves as Chief Operating Officer, developing and implementing efficient processes to ensure top-notch client service and advice, while significantly growing businesses. He brings over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, spanning from startups to large enterprises, and a diverse background in advisor and leadership roles. Throughout Kenneth's career, a commitment to excellence and a passion for delivering exceptional client experiences have been central to his approach. This has been at the heart of his success with strategically scaling teams to drive revenue and profit.