Solo Retirement Is No Longer the Exception

America is in the middle of a demographic shift that will reshape retirement planning for tens of millions of people.

More Americans than ever are entering retirement on their own.

Today, roughly one in four retirees is single, and that share is growing fast as marriage rates decline, divorce rates remain elevated, and longevity increases—especially for women.

Yet our retirement system was never designed for this reality. It was designed for couples.

Why solo retirement is fundamentally different

When you retire as part of a couple, the system stacks the deck in your favor:

• Two Social Security benefits

• Two retirement accounts

• Sometimes one or two pensions

• Built-in caregiving and decision-making support

Solo retirees don’t get any of that. They face a very different set of risks:

Income: Most solo retirees rely on one Social Security check and one primary retirement account. Pensions are increasingly rare. Only about 14% of Gen X workers have access to one—which means income flexibility is limited, and mistakes are harder to recover from.

Healthcare & long-term care: Spouses provide the majority of unpaid caregiving in America. Solo retirees don’t have a default caregiver, medical advocate, or appointment coordinator built into their lives. That gap matters.

Decision-making & legal authority: Marriage automatically grants spouses legal and medical rights in emergencies. Solo retirees must intentionally build this protection through documents and trusted relationships—or risk having no one legally empowered to act.

The uncomfortable truth

Solo retirement isn’t a niche scenario. It’s a structural blind spot in how we talk about money, aging, and retirement readiness. And without planning, it will produce more financial stress, more isolation, and more late-life instability than we’re prepared for.

The good news

Retirement is absolutely possible for single adults. But it requires clarity and intention.

If you’re planning to retire solo, start here:

• Do you know how much income you will need—without a financial backstop?

• Do you have legal documents in place so someone can make decisions if you can’t?

• Have you reviewed your Social Security statement recently—and stress-tested it?

The rise of solo retirement will force our systems to evolve. But individuals don’t have the luxury of waiting. With preparation, solo retirees can design retirements that are secure, dignified, and deeply fulfilling.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult an estate planning attorney or Certified Financial Planner® about your specific situation.