Solo agers are people who are aging alone without the “safety net” of a spouse, significant other, or children to help them navigate later life. Also called elder orphans (a phrase that has had pushback for being stigmatizing ), they are literally “hidden in plain sight.”
There are an estimated 22.1 million solo agers in America according to U.S Census Bureau data and an estimated 28% of older adults live alone and are childless. These solo ager statistics are actually underestimates because they don’t include people with adult children who are unwilling or unable to provide parental care. Solo aging is particularly an issue for the LGBTQ community.
Common solo ager scenarios include:
- Single people who never married and had children
- Formerly married people (widowed, divorced) who never had children
- Single people with estranged children, children they cannot rely on, or children that died
Roughly one in five (19.4%) of baby boom generation women never had children vs. 10% of women in previous generations.
Key “need to knows” about solo ager financial planning are described below:
Four Stages of Solo Aging
- Independence: When people are self-reliant and self-sufficient
- Interdependence: When people need help with basic tasks like cleaning and chores
- Dependence: When people are in dire need of others to perform activities of daily living
- Crisis: When people are totally dependent on health care professionals and facilities
Not ever solo ager goes through every stage during their lifetime.
Common Solo Ager Questions and Pain Points
- How can I take care of myself as I get older?
- Who will care for me when I need help at the end of my life?
- Who will carry out my wishes once I have passed?
- Who can I name to key roles (e.g., executor and health care proxy) in my legal documents?
- Who will take care of my pets if I am unable to?
Making a Solo Aging Plan
Solo agers must be proactive in financial and estate planning. Otherwise, they could become “a ward of the state” and force local courts to appoint a conservator to handle their financial affairs and/or a guardian to oversee personal matters like housing and health care decisions.
Solo agers who become isolated are at increased risk of cognitive decline and elder abuse and fraud. There may also be added administrative expenses to settle their estate.
What to do? Solo agers need to take proactive steps:
Practice Healthy Habits
The goal is to stave off, or at least postpone, chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease so you can remain healthy and independent as long as possible. Suggested action steps include: eating nutritious food, physical activity, regular screening exams, adequate sleep, vaccinations when needed, no smoking, and no or limited alcohol consumption.
Use Technology
A big fear of solo agers is needing help when they are alone. There are wellness check-in companies and state programs (e.g., Maryland Senior Call Check) that call or text older adults and tech tools where older adults call a service. Another resource is emergency alert devices.
Consider Hired Services
At some point in time solo agers without a strong support system might need the services of a bonded daily money manager, geriatric care manager, or patient advocate.
Other needs might include transportation services and professionals, like an attorney or bank trust department, to serve as an executor, trustee, or health care proxy. It is helpful to “feel out” your lawyer, financial advisor, and/or doctor to determine their willingness to serve in key roles.
Explore Housing Arrangements
Many experts urge solo agers to consider congregate living settings such as an assisted living facility or continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Both options are pricey and are often funded by the sale of an existing home.
The national median cost of assisted living is $5,190 per month according to a 2025 report. Facilities offer private or semi-private living spaces (like apartments or rooms), common areas for socializing and activities, meals, and assistance with daily tasks as needed.
CCRCs, which offer a continuum of care (independent living and assisted living, memory care, and/or skilled nursing, if needed) typically have entrance fees in the hundreds of thousands of dollars plus monthly fees in the thousands of dollars. Pricing is based according to the size of the selected independent living unit and the type of contract. The higher the entrance fee, the less residents pay for long-term care (LTC) services.
Make Proactive Financial Planning Decisions
Solo agers need to assign a health care proxy within their living will and an agent for their durable power of attorney. It is also wise to provide trusted contact information for financial accounts. Account custodians will often ask for this.
Other smart strategies include:
- Calculate income sources as a solo ager or when you become a solo ager
- Start a “buffer (savings) account” to avoid withdrawals from stocks during down markets
- Delay claiming Social Security, if possible and in good health, to increase your benefits
- Get public assistance if needed; visit www.211.org to learn about local programs
- Set aside an adequate emergency fund (3 to 6 months expenses) for “issues” that arise
Analyze Insurance Needs
Experts generally advise buying LTC insurance in your 50s and 60s while it is cheaper and you are still insurable without any health problems. Since solo agers likely don’t have life insurance because they have no dependents, consider prepaid burial or cremation arrangements.
Assess Tax Planning Moves
Income tax filing changes significantly when someone is widowed. Calculate the impact of single tax filing status when a spouse dies and consider tax-advantaged strategies to decrease future tax bills, if applicable. Examples include qualified charitable distributions, Roth conversions, and gifting appreciated securities. Also, there is a tax deduction (itemized deduction medical expense) for prepaid LTC insurance as part of a CCRC entrance fee.
Get Legal Documents in Order
Foundational documents include a will (specifies distribution of assets and names an executor to oversee a deceased person’s estate), a durable power of attorney (appoints a financial decision maker (agent) to manage your affairs, if incapacitated), and a living will and health care proxy (specifies end-of-life wishes and names a person to speak up for you, if needed).
Name Trusted Agents
A common frustration of solo agers is that everyone (e.g., medical facilities and legal and financial firms) assumes they have family to provide care or manage their health and finances. They don’t. Trusted surrogates can include professional financial fiduciaries (e.g., a fee-only financial planner), elder law attorneys, geriatric care managers, close friends, and clergy.
Lean on professionals as much as they will allow and use them when no trusted personal contact exists. Benefits include experienced guidance, ethical (fiduciary) requirements to put the needs of clients first, and court oversight.
Provide Background Information
Forensic accounting is time-consuming and expensive. Solo agers should not force people who are paying their bills or settling their estate to “start from scratch.” Make it easy for them:
- Prepare a digital assets inventory with the user name and password for online accounts
- Make sure beneficiary designations are up to date on retirement accounts and annuities
- Prepare a net worth statement (assets – debts) and update it annually
- Prepare a “Who to Call/What to Do List” with specific postmortem task instructions
- Write your own obituary and a list of who to send it to
- Prepare a paper or digital “financial notebook” with specific details about your finances
Solo agers should avoid decisions that lead to vulnerability and isolation and make plans early before health and cognition declines. Ditto for potential solo agers who are “one heartbeat away” from being solo agers. Expand your social network, focus on fitness and well-being, and revisit your plans every 2-3 years or sooner if life events (e.g., widowhood or death of a child) occur.
Final Thoughts
Solo agers face real challenges—but with thoughtful planning, they can take control of their future. Start by getting your legal and financial documents in order, naming trusted people or professionals, and exploring housing and health care options before you need them. Staying proactive, connected, and informed can help you remain independent and avoid tough situations later. The earlier you start, the more choices you’ll have.
