Rebuilding Your Retirement Plan for a Household of One
Retirement plans are usually drawn up with two names on the account statements — two incomes, two Social Security checks, two sets of shoulders to carry the what-ifs. When that changes, whether through divorce, the death of a spouse, or simply a life that unfolded differently than expected, the plan built for two people doesn’t automatically resize itself. About 28% of Americans age 65 and older live alone, and that number climbs with age, especially for women. If you’re joining that group, the smartest move isn’t just saving more. It’s rethinking the whole structure — budget, income, housing, paperwork, and support — so it fits one household instead of two.