Kiplinger.com
By Donna Fuscaldo
Updated: July 17th, 2026
Not planning your life around legacy? You’re not alone. Why a growing wave of single and child-free retirees is unapologetically putting their own needs first.
Zach Ungerott, senior wealth adviser at Hightower Wealth Advisors, says more clients than ever are wondering: If I don’t have heirs, what should I do with my estate? Deciding which way to go can be difficult, but Krueger argues that for solo agers, estate planning must come from a place of financial strength. That’s particularly important, given the high price for healthcare in retirement.
A 65-year-old can expect to spend $172,500 in out-of-pocket health care expenses, according to Fidelity Investments’ annual forecast. That doesn’t include unforeseen emergencies or stints in a long-term care facility.
But funding your healthcare is only half the battle; you also have to decide who will speak for you when you can’t. After all, you don’t have children or a spouse who will automatically be designated your proxy or power of attorney for your health care and financial decisions.
