A traditional retirement may hold appeal, but affluent people may picture their post-career life a bit differently. You might hope to trade your current leadership role for a more relaxed volunteer experience, embrace epic travel adventures, or adopt a transcontinental lifestyle as a reward for a lifetime of work.

Yes, with more assets and resources at your disposal than most people, you have a broader array of options to consider.

Here are a few ideas to inspire the vision you may have for retirement. And, while many of them may feel familiar, we’ve also provided a few insights into how to take these common dreams and potentially make them your reality.

Take more time to travel

Travel is a popular retirement goal for many of us. Yet, for retirees with both free time and significant resources, more intensive, extensive and upscale travel opportunities might be possible.

Transoceanic cruises, guided adventure treks into amazing remote destinations, European river excursions, and all-inclusive resorts are all worth considering, if you’ve got a little wanderlust in your soul.

» Insight: The adventures of a lifetime could rest on a more solid foundation with in-depth retirement travel planning.¹ Just don’t forget to account for your financial and health care needs while you’re on the road, sailing the seas, or trekking abroad.

Go all-in on lifelong (or longed-for) hobbies

Have you dreamed of owning a vineyard? Longed to pursue sailing or earn your pilot’s license? Or simply wanted to build a space in your home to enjoy a hobby like ceramics, lavish gardening or gourmet cooking?

Investing your post-career time in an engaging avocation can also strengthen and expand your social network as you connect with like-minded people who share your passions.

» Insight: It might be wise to work with a wealth management team now to plan for any special insurance or dedicated financial resources your hobbies or special interests may require. That may allow you to focus on enjoyment rather than logistics and funding strategies when you’re ready to embrace your favorite activities full-time.

Buy a home in your dream location

When you’re not anchored to a single location for work, you have the freedom to live where you like. That might mean relocating to somewhere you’ve dreamed of or adding a vacation property in a favorite destination.

For example, a second home in Europe, Southeast Asia or Latin America can make it easier to enjoy excursions in those regions without the hassle of transcontinental travel for each trip.

» Insight: Plan early for your post-retirement real estate purchase to allow for resource allocation, tax planning, and any visa and residence permits needed for extended stays in other countries. A wealth management team may be able to help you with referrals to relevant attorneys, real estate agents with international ties, accountants, and estate planning professionals.

Pass on your expertise

Business leaders, skilled professionals, successful artists and other retirees have a career’s worth of insights and knowledge they can share with upcoming generations in their field. If you’re excited about helping preserve and pass on your expertise, teaching or mentoring may be appealing retirement options.

For example, physicians and attorneys who retire from practice may find fulfillment in faculty or guest lecturer roles at their alma mater or a nearby school. Retired business owners and serial entrepreneurs may find inspiration in mentoring new business founders through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) SCORE program.²

» Insight: If you’ll be earning income from teaching during retirement, it’s smart to discuss tax strategies with an accountant, CPA or tax attorney. Again, a friendly, knowledgeable wealth management team may be able to make those referrals for you, if you're in need of one.

Pivot to a new career path

Coaching junior people in your field can be personally rewarding, but for many accomplished entrepreneurs, nothing beats pursuing a new business idea. That might look like starting your own business if you’re eager to sink your time and attention into a venture or startup project.

If you’re still enthusiastic about entrepreneurship but want to enjoy more free time during retirement, serving as an angel investor could be an option that allows you to balance business involvement with leisure. One possible path for new investors is the SBA’s Small Business Investment Companies³ program, which can streamline and support the investment process.

» Insight: Working closely with your wealth management team and other relevant professionals can be important to address any concerns you may have about safeguarding assets or making the most of tax strategies as you launch or invest in new business opportunities.

Cultivate what’s close to your heart

Your family, your community and the causes you care most deeply about can also be important areas of focus during your retirement. That might look like taking your grandchildren on epic vacations, funding a family member’s education, devoting more time to volunteering, and planning to leave a legacy.

» Insight: Effectively using your time and resources to craft your legacy starts with conversations. Before establishing a trust for your family, for example, it’s wise to begin by talking with them about their needs and goals. Next you might want to speak with your wealth management team about how best to support those objectives. To create a legacy that focuses on a charitable cause, talking with stakeholders serves a similar purpose, so you can discuss what you learn with your wealth management team and make a plan.

The takeaway

Creating a retirement lifestyle that’s uniquely yours is possible when you embrace your goals and allocate the resources to see them through. By understanding your distinct financial needs and objectives, RBFCU Wealth Management, The Garner Davis Group can help you create a retirement plan that works for you.