Forty-four percent of retirees use the money in their IRAs to pay for current living expenses; 31% moved it into another account or reinvested it; 19% spent it on health care expenses; 15% used it for a home purchase, remodeling, or repair; 14% used it for an emergency; 6% used the account to purchase a big-ticket item; 3% used it for education; and 12% used it for miscellaneous purchases.