Core Insights - The article discusses the financial challenges faced by solo retirees, highlighting that they require significantly larger retirement resources compared to couples due to the "singles tax" where they bear full costs for essentials like housing and utilities alone [1][4]. Demographic Trends - There is a rising share of solo-agers due to demographic shifts such as lower marriage rates and higher divorce rates in later life, with the modern solo-ager population being more diverse than in the past [2][3]. Financial Vulnerability - Approximately 28% of Americans aged 65 and older live alone, a significant increase from about 10% in 1950, indicating a shrinking margin for error in retirement planning for these individuals [3][5]. Cost of Living - Housing is the largest expense for retirees, and solo-agers face challenges in meeting these costs, especially in high-cost areas where they may have deep community ties [6]. - Health care costs are also a major concern, with solo-agers potentially facing thousands of dollars per month for services like home health aides or nursing home stays, which have seen a 9% increase since 2022 [7][8]. Long-Term Care - The national average for annual in-home care costs is $77,796, while assisted living communities cost $70,800 and private room nursing homes cost $127,752, with Medicaid covering only 44% of long-term institutional care costs in 2023 [8]. Planning Challenges - Many solo-agers struggle with planning for retirement, often delaying important decisions until a crisis occurs, and standard retirement rules may not apply to them due to their lack of a partner's financial support [10][11]. Strategic Recommendations - To mitigate risks, solo-agers should be strategic about their income and savings, potentially delaying Social Security benefits to maximize payouts and building a network of trusted friends for support [13][14]. Investment Opportunities - Early investment is emphasized as crucial for solo-agers, with even small amounts contributing significantly to retirement savings over time, highlighting the importance of compounding [17][18].