How much do single women need to retire comfortably?

There’s no universal figure, but single women generally need to save more than couples on a per-person basis because all fixed expenses — housing, utilities, insurance — fall on one income. A financial plan built around your specific Social Security benefit, projected long-term care exposure, and desired lifestyle can be factors to consider in your financial planning.

What Social Security strategies work best for never-married women?

Never-married women are entirely reliant on their own earnings record. Delaying your claim to age 70 — and using other income sources in the interim — can increase your monthly benefit by up to 32% compared with claiming at full retirement age. The value of delay is especially significant for women with longer life expectancies.

How does the divorced spouse Social Security rule work?

If your marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are currently unmarried, you may claim up to 50% of your ex-spouse’s full retirement age benefit if it exceeds your own. Your claim has no effect on your former spouse’s benefit or any benefits their current spouse may receive.

How should a single woman over 50 approach long-term care planning?

Start by evaluating your current assets and projected retirement income relative to realistic care cost projections. For women with substantial assets, self-funding a portion of care and securing a policy that covers more severe or prolonged scenarios may be more cost-effective than comprehensive traditional long-term care insurance. Timing matters, as premiums increase significantly with age.

What is the bucket strategy, and how does it work for solo retirees?

The bucket strategy divides retirement assets into near-, medium-, and long-term pools based on when you’ll need them. For solo retirees, it seeks to reduce the risk of selling growth-oriented investments during a market downturn while keeping near-term cash needs covered without disrupting your long-term portfolio.

Who should I name as my healthcare proxy and financial power of attorney if I have no spouse?

A trusted adult — a sibling, adult child, close friend, or professional fiduciary — can serve in either role. Whoever you choose should understand your values, be comfortable acting under pressure, and ideally not have a large stake in your estate, to minimize potential conflicts of interest.

How do I build an estate plan as a single woman with no children?

Begin with the essentials: a will, healthcare proxy directive, and durable power of attorney. A revocable living trust may be warranted depending on the size and complexity of your estate. Charitable giving, a donor-advised fund, or leaving assets to chosen family members are all options that a comprehensive estate plan can accommodate in a tax-efficient way.

What should I look for in a financial advisor as a single woman over 50?

Look for a fiduciary advisor who takes a comprehensive approach — coordinating investments, tax planning, insurance, and estate planning — and who has direct experience working with single women. At Mercer Advisors, we start with your goals, not your portfolio, and will use your full financial picture as the basis for planning.

Social Security Archives

Social Security

Deciding when and how to claim Social Security is one of the most impactful — and irreversible — decisions you can make for your retirement, and new legislative and tax changes in 2026 make the stakes even higher. At Mercer Advisors, our retirement specialists help clients navigate benefit-maximization strategies, understand break-even analysis, and coordinate Social Security with IRA withdrawals to help reduce their overall tax burden. Explore the resources below for guidance on everything from the Fairness Act repeal to strategies for high earners, divorced spouses, and widows.

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Social Security

Financial Planning for Single Women Over 50

What should I look for in a financial advisor as a single woman over 50?

How do I build an estate plan as a single woman with no children?

Who should I name as my healthcare proxy and financial power of attorney if I have no spouse?

What is the bucket strategy, and how does it work for solo retirees?

How should a single woman over 50 approach long-term care planning?

How does the divorced spouse Social Security rule work?

What Social Security strategies work best for never-married women?

How much do single women need to retire comfortably?

Where can I find a wealth advisor to help evaluate my retirement readiness?

Should I pay off student loans or Parent PLUS loans before retiring?

What is a health savings account, and how can it help in retirement?

How much money will I need to retire comfortably?

About Mercer Advisors

Explore Our Solutions

Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

Social Security

Financial Planning for Single Women Over 50

What should I look for in a financial advisor as a single woman over 50?

How do I build an estate plan as a single woman with no children?

Who should I name as my healthcare proxy and financial power of attorney if I have no spouse?

What is the bucket strategy, and how does it work for solo retirees?

How should a single woman over 50 approach long-term care planning?

How does the divorced spouse Social Security rule work?

What Social Security strategies work best for never-married women?

How much do single women need to retire comfortably?

Where can I find a wealth advisor to help evaluate my retirement readiness?

Should I pay off student loans or Parent PLUS loans before retiring?

What is a health savings account, and how can it help in retirement?

How much money will I need to retire comfortably?

Further Learning

What is portfolio diversification?

Why is diversification important in investing?

How many investments should a diversified portfolio have?

Should retirees diversify differently than younger investors?

About Mercer Advisors

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