How Can Women Without Children Plan for Retirement

On December 11, 2025, an email landed in my inbox from my current employer with the subject line, “SSM Retirement Planning: Open Enrollment Starts Today,” and it immediately got me thinking: as a single woman without kids, how can women without children plan for retirement? I did a deep dive, and as a 34-year-old woman, I could not find a single company offering retirement options specifically designed for young adults who are considering aging without children. With this in mind, I reached out to the Senior Editor and requested permission to write this piece, to which she happily replied yes. So here we are. If you’re like me, single and childfree by choice, living with a pet, it may be time to start thinking seriously about your long-term plans.

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As of 2025–2026, more women are choosing to remain childfree, and a major driver of this decision is the economy. Many adults cite the rising costs of housing, childcare, healthcare, education, and general living expenses as significant deterrents to having children. Raising a child can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year, and economic instability, inflation, and housing shortages make long-term financial commitments increasingly daunting. The reality is that having a child means being a caretaker 24/7, with no days off. When you factor in the possibility of having a child with special needs at a young age, the responsibility can become lifelong, often requiring parents to mourn the life they once envisioned for themselves and their children.

When UK singer Jesy Nelson took to social media to share the heartbreaking news surrounding her twins’ diagnosis of SMA Type 1, users flooded her comments with resources and words of encouragement. In the video, the singer appeared visibly shaken and heartbroken, explaining that instead of simply being a mother to her twins, she now has to act as their nurse. Her vulnerability prompted others to share one of their deepest fears around motherhood: the possibility of having a disabled child.

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While motherhood is often portrayed as deeply fulfilling, the reality is unpredictable. When paired with the possibility of dedicating your life to raising a child who, in adulthood, may have little ability or desire to care for you, visit you, or advocate for you during medical decisions, many people begin to reassess their choices. As personal priorities and definitions of fulfillment shift, more single men and women are choosing freedom. This freedom may show up through career advancement, travel, personal interests, mental and emotional well-being, or continued education and professional development. Having fewer responsibilities in certain areas allows individuals to invest more fully in the parts of life they find most meaningful.

This brings us to the retirement planning conversation and the phrase we often hear: “Children are not a retirement plan.” Some parents believe that because they gave birth to their children and dedicated their lives to raising them, the payoff will be care and support in old age. That assumption is increasingly proving to be misguided. More people are openly voicing their grievances with this mindset, saying things like, “I’m not taking care of my parents when they’re older. I didn’t ask to be here,” or, “Just because my mother had me doesn’t mean I’m responsible for supporting her financially. I’m thirty years old. What has she been doing for the past thirty years?”

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This belief is a cultural assumption that has taken hold without fully considering how family dynamics change over time. Geographic distance, demanding work schedules, personal health, and financial strain can all limit a child’s ability to support aging parents. This reality is widely discussed in personal finance and retirement planning communities, including forums like Reddit. Parenthood is a commitment, not a substitute for intentional financial and care planning later in life.

When HR shared that email, I took the time to research the company She’s SINGLE Magazine partnered with for these benefits. This is not sponsored, but after learning more, I felt it was important to share. Norient Community Services is a long-term care planning advocacy and care coordination service designed for adults who want a reliable support system as they age. The cost is $45 per month for singles and $80 per month for singles with pets. Their services include 24-hour house call requests, pet hospice and cremation, estate planning assistance, travel and relocation support, and a wide range of additional resources. I signed up after learning the company offered the first month free and that SSM would match employee contributions for the duration of our employment. I also shared the information with my sister, who has since enrolled.

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A company like this is worth serious consideration. As we age, many of us may live alone and lack someone to call or advocate on our behalf. Norient positions itself as a solution, with agents available to provide services that many elderly individuals, and even those of us in our thirties and forties, may eventually need. While long-term care planning is not something most people think about early on, it is something we should all consider, especially amid economic uncertainty and shifting social norms.

Services like Norient matter now more than ever. Birth rates are declining, and the number of adults choosing to remain childfree continues to rise. Younger generations are far more likely than previous ones to opt out of parenthood. This choice has significant implications for retirement planning, long-term care, and social support systems. That is where services like Norient fit in, offering alternatives that move beyond traditional, family-based assumptions.

by Harley Miller