The Solo-Agers Decision Guide Resource Series

October 2025

Author

Vickie Bajtelsmit, JD, PhD

Professor Emeritus,
Colorado State University

Description

A solo-ager is often defined as someone who is older, single, living alone, and has no traditional family support. With declining marriage rates and fewer children, the percentage of the population who are solo-agers is much greater than in earlier generations and is increasing.

Recognizing this, the Society of Actuaries Research Institute and the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) have partnered on this resource series to help solo-agers with decision-making on a wide range of aging issues. Readers may benefit by reading the entire series or selecting individual topics of interest. Although written in mind with issues that may particularly impact solo-agers, all readers can benefit from this valuable information.

The following topics in the series are available for download:

The Solo-Agers Decision Guide: Introduction – provides an introduction to the series and overview of the issues addressed.

Managing Your Finances – help with understanding and planning for future financial needs and resources.

Selecting a Healthcare Proxy and Caregivers – dealing with unexpected health issues and preparing for needed support.

Preparing for Changing Housing Needs – issues to consider when a housing change becomes necessary for health or other reasons.

Getting Your Legal Documents and Support in Order – understanding and organizing applicable legal documents.

Planning for Physical and Cognitive Change – preparing for possible changes in physical and cognitive ability and support needed.

Developing Your Support Network – establishing and nurturing support networks to help with aging needs.

Using Technology Aids – ways that advances in technology and devices can provide beneficial support for aging.

Acknowledgments

The SOA and WISER expresses it gratitude to the following individuals who assisted with this series:

Anna Rappaport
Cindy Hounsell
Beth Goldbach
Carol Bogosian
David Littell
Elizabeth Clubb
Howard Iams
Jessica Mosher
Phyllis Mitzen
Zenaida Samaniego
Cindy Levering
Steven Siegel, SOA Research Institute Senior Practice Research Actuary

Video

For more on solo aging, look out for our upcoming video in November.

Readers may also be interested in the results of a research survey of solo-agers to gain further insight into their perspectives and priorities: Survey of Financial Perspectives and Retirement Planning for Solo-Agers

Questions or Comments?

If you have comments or questions, please send an email to Research@soa.org