6 Keys to a Wellness-Driven Retirement

By Beacon Bridge Wealth Partners | February 20, 2025

Most people want to retire well, but what does that really mean? The size of your nest egg is probably the first thing that comes to mind. It’s certainly very important, but we invite you to look a little deeper. A wellness-driven retirement goes beyond financial security and focuses on building a lifestyle that supports your physical, mental and emotional well-being. It’s a unique approach that we call Total Retirement.

In other words, it’s about integrating your health and wellness into your retirement planning. That starts with investing in habits that promote longevity and vitality. A retirement plan that’s built around wellness not only enhances your quality of life—it can also reduce future medical costs, allowing you to enjoy the healthiest and most fulfilling retirement possible. That’s no small thing considering that many Americans expect to spend 30 years or more in retirement.

1. Prioritize Movement

There’s a reason moving your body feels good. It’s linked to a wide variety of mental health benefits, from improved mood to better brain function. Regular exercise can also reduce your risk of certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. This is why it’s so important to carve out space in your budget for fitness costs, especially as we age.

If you’re hesitant to spend money here, you aren’t alone. A recent study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that 38% of retirees have a “savings mindset” instead of a “spending mindset.” But giving yourself permission to invest in your health is worth it, whether that’s:

  • Starting a “walk and talk” group with friends or neighbors
  • Finding a fitness buddy
  • Getting a gym membership
  • Going to regular fitness classes
  • Working with a personal trainer or physical therapist
  • Joining a local fitness group
  • Taking up dancing, yoga or another active hobby

2. Invest in Healthy Eating Habits

Eating well is always important. The food we eat nourishes our bodies and minds, giving us the fuel we need to enjoy an active, happy retirement. We understand that the cost of healthy eating may feel like a barrier at first—organic groceries often cost more than their non-organic counterparts. But we encourage you to look at it as an investment rather than a trade-off. From a financial point of view, adopting healthy eating habits can actually help reduce your health care expenses in retirement.

If we all followed a healthy diet, Americans could reduce cases of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and other illnesses—resulting in total cost savings of over $88 billion, according to one 2019 study. Translation: Opting for nutritious meals can help reduce your chances of getting sick and shave down your health care costs.

3. Plan for Long-Term Health Care Needs

A 65-year-old who retires today could spend an average of $165,000 on health care costs during retirement, according to a recent Fidelity Investments survey. Those who retire before this age may face higher expenses since Medicare doesn’t kick in until age 65. But even with Medicare, you’ll still run into out-of-pocket costs. That includes the following, plus potential copays and deductibles.

What Does it Cover? How Much Does it Cost?
Medicare Part A Hospital visits (excludes most vision, hearing, and dental services) No premium if you paid Medicare taxes during your working years; otherwise up to $285/month
Medicare Part B Doctor’s visits, outpatient care (excludes most vision, hearing, and dental services) $185/month or more depending on income
Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plans bundling A, B, and D, often with vision, hearing, and dental Premiums vary by plan
Medicare Part D Prescription drugs Premium depends on plan and income

Source: medicare.gov

Understanding the ins and outs of Medicare can be tricky. Let our Medicare in 2025 Webinar be your guide.

Long-term care might be another cost to consider. The same goes for moving expenses as many retirees choose to downsize at some point. If this feels like a good choice for you, try to get organized sooner rather than later. The most desired senior living communities often have waitlists that stretch for years. Getting on those lists now can give you more options later down the road. It’s also wise to choose a location that’s within 30 minutes of a loved one. At Beacon Bridge Wealth Partners, we help our clients anticipate their needs and create a financial plan that’s built to last.

4. Continue to Pursue Your Purpose

We all want to feel like we’re living our purpose. If you got that from your career, retirement might feel like a big transition—and it’s common to feel untethered at first. The good news is that it’s never too late to discover things that light up your heart. Your passion might come alive through:

  • Volunteer work, which can help you give back to your community and make new friends
  • Creative projects that stoke your curiosity and stimulate your mind
  • Mentoring professionals in your former field
  • Traveling, whether that’s taking local trips or planning vacations abroad
  • Finding new hobbies or rediscovering old hobbies you used to enjoy
  • Learning new skills you’ve always been interested in, whether that’s learning a language or picking up an instrument

Retirement might be a time when you redefine your purpose or rediscover passions that were put on the back burner during your working years.

5. Stay Social

Maintaining social connections is key to a wellness-driven retirement. Think about all the daily social interactions you had while working. From laughing in the break room with work friends to building meaningful relationships with coworkers, being social is important to our well-being. During retirement, you’ll likely need to be more intentional about making these connections.

Getting out in the community can go a long way here. One study cited by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that those who volunteered 20 hours per week were healthier than those who didn’t. Volunteering isn’t your only option. You might also stay social by:

  • Planning regular get-togethers with friends (an added perk is that game nights and trivia events can also help boost your brain power)
  • Joining or starting a club that’s centered around a favorite hobby or interest, like a book club or gardening club
  • Getting into a sports league or fitness group
  • Keeping in touch with friends who aren’t retired yet
  • Throwing a dinner party to connect with friends and prepare nourishing recipes

6. Remember to Have Fun

This goes hand in hand with staying social. After working hard for decades, retirement is the time to step back and do things that bring you joy. The truth is that we’re never too old to enjoy periods of play. An added bonus is that it might also:

  • Curb stress
  • Boost your mood
  • Improve cognitive functioning
  • Foster connections with others

You can also look for ways to have fun with your partner. Retirement is likely a whole new chapter for your relationship. Finding things to do together can help you establish a new rhythm, make new memories, and stay close.

No matter how you spend retirement, you’ll want to be intentional about creating a routine that supports a healthy, active lifestyle. Setting intentions can also help you achieve other retirement goals and contribute to overall happiness.

At Beacon Bridge Wealth Partners, we take a holistic approach to wealth management. Instead of looking at retirement as an isolated event, we consider all the moving parts that go into a happy, satisfying retirement—which includes your finances, health, lifestyle, relationships and purpose. These themes are spotlighted in our Staying Active & Healthy in Retirement guide.

This is the foundation of our Total Retirement process, and It also makes good financial sense. The investments you make in your wellness today could help prevent costly medical bills in retirement, allowing your nest egg to last longer. It’s the ultimate win-win. Contact us today to start planning the retirement you’ve been dreaming of.

Beacon Bridge Wealth Partners, LLC (“Beacon Bridge”) is an SEC registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of Beacon Bridge by the SEC nor does it indicate that Beacon Bridge has attained a particular level of skill or ability. This material prepared by Beacon Bridge is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Facts presented have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Beacon Bridge, however, cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source.

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