We’re so grateful when you share MainStreet Financial Planning, Inc. with your friends, family, and colleagues. Your trust means everything to us.

At MainStreet Financial Planning, we don’t manage investments or sell financial products. Instead, we provide objective, flat-fee financial advice that focuses entirely on helping clients make informed, confident decisions about their money. Our only motivation is your success — not commissions or asset-based fees.

If you know someone who could benefit from retirement planning or unbiased, professional financial guidance from a fee-only fiduciary, here’s how to connect them with our team.

Who We Help

We work with individuals, couples, and families who want to feel confident, organized, and in control of their financial future.

Our specialty is retirement planning — helping people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s move from saving to spending with clarity and confidence. We also guide younger families building toward long-term goals like college savings, home buying, and financial independence.

Many of our clients are do-it-yourself investors — smart, proactive people who prefer to manage their own investments but want a second set of eyes and a trusted guide to keep them on track. We help them simplify, focus, and make informed decisions so they can feel confident about their next steps.

About MainStreet Financial Planning

MainStreet Financial Planning, Inc. is a 100% women-owned, women-led, fee-only, fiduciary firm founded in 2002.

We are a virtual financial planning firm, serving clients across the U.S. and worldwide. Whether you live in California, Maryland, Tennessee, New York, Virginia, Washington, DC or abroad, our secure online process makes it easy to get professional guidance from anywhere.

Here’s what makes us different:

• Retirement-focused advice. We help clients understand what retirement really costs — and how to make their savings last.

• Flat, transparent fees. No asset minimums, no AUM fees, and no commissions — ever.

• Virtual and flexible meetings. Meet with your CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional wherever life takes you.

• Independent fiduciary guidance. We’re paid only by our clients, and we always act in your best interest.

• Women-led team. Compassionate, approachable, and deeply experienced in guiding families through life’s biggest financial transitions.

We believe financial planning should be accessible, understandable, and empowering — not intimidating.

What We Do

As a flat-fee, fiduciary financial planning firm, we help clients organize their finances, clarify goals, and make confident decisions in every area of their financial life:

• Retirement income and distribution strategies

• Cash flow and budgeting

• Investment allocation and portfolio organization

• College savings and education funding

• Tax and insurance planning

• Managing life transitions such as career changes, inheritance, or downsizing

We offer three main service options:

• Money Roadmap (one-time financial plan): $4,400 for individuals / $5,800 for couples

• Money Roadmap Navigator (ongoing financial planning): includes comprehensive planning, accountability, and ongoing support — $2,000 for individuals/$2,500 deposit for couples, plus $210/month for individuals or $265/month for couples

• Hourly financial planning: $425/hour (ideal for targeted questions, plan updates, or second opinions)

Meet Our Financial Planners

Our team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals brings decades of experience helping clients simplify their finances and build financial confidence:

• Anna Sergunina, CFP® – President & CEO, Financial Planner

• Cynthia Flannigan, CFP® – Financial Planner

• Vida Jatulis, CFP® – Financial Planner

• Katherine Edwards, CFP® – Financial Planner

• Jennifer Bush, CFP® – Financial Planner

Learn more about our advisors on our Meet the Team page.

Making a Referral Is Easy

1. Think of someone who could benefit from financial clarity, retirement planning, or a flat-fee second opinion — a friend, family member, or colleague.

2. Share your experience. Tell them how our planning process helped you feel more organized and confident. You can also share our Google Reviews so they can see what other clients have said.

3. Email an introduction to info@mainstreetplanning.com. We’ll take it from there and make sure your friend receives a warm, no-pressure welcome.

Sample Email You Can Send

Subject: Introduction to MainStreet Financial Planning

Hi [Friend’s Name],

I wanted to introduce you to my financial planner, [Advisor’s Name] from MainStreet Financial Planning. They’ve helped me get organized and feel more confident about my financial future.

I thought of you because you mentioned [planning for retirement / wanting a second opinion / looking for financial clarity]. Their team works virtually, charges flat fees, and focuses on helping clients like us — smart do-it-yourselfers who want a clear plan and expert guidance along the way.

[Advisor’s First Name] – meet [Friend’s First Name]. I’ll let you two take it from here!

Best,

[Your Name]

A Personal Thank-You

Your referrals are the heart of our growth and the greatest compliment we can receive. Each introduction allows us to help another family feel organized, confident, and ready for the next stage of life.

As a small token of our gratitude, we make a charitable contribution to your favorite nonprofit for every new client referred by you, through our partnership with TisBest Philanthropy. It’s our way of saying thank you and ensuring that your referral creates a positive ripple effect in the community.

It’s truly a win for everyone.

Thank you for trusting us — and for sharing MainStreet Financial Planning with the people you care about most.

The post Share MainStreet: Help Your Friends Find a Flat-Fee Fiduciary Financial Planner They Can Trust appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

I am sharing these key takeaways from Michael Finke’s research with you so that you can ponder what your own happy retirement looks like.

Social Connection = The Secret Ingredient

• Spousal relationship quality is the strongest predictor of life satisfaction.
  • A poor-quality marriage lowers life satisfaction below that of being unmarried.
  • A very close marriage substantially boosts satisfaction
• Friends also significantly increase life satisfaction—the number and frequency of contact with friends both matter.
• Other family (beyond spouse and children) has a smaller but still positive effect.
• Children: Neither the number of children nor contact with them significantly impacts retirees’ life satisfaction. (So, moving across the country to be closer to your kids might not deliver the joy you are expecting.)

Tip:  Create a retirement budget that allows for leisure spending; going out to dinner with friends, traveling to connect with friends, and doing hobbies that provide an opportunity to socialize.\

You Do Not Need to be Rich to be Happy

• Retirees don’t need to be rich to be happy – they need to feel financially secure
• Anxiety about money reduces life satisfaction
• High financial anxiety = 23% lower odds of life satisfaction

Tip:  Structure your money and investments so that you feel comfortable spending in retirement (guaranteed income, lower risk investments, etc.)
Learn how to estimate and structure your retirement spending realistically.

Health is Wealth

• Poor health is the number one cause of retirement dissatisfaction.
• Retirees in excellent health score dramatically higher on life satisfaction than those in poor health.

Tip: Invest in wellness, prevention, and active living for yourself. Make it part of your financial plan!

The Risk of Cognitive Decline is Real

• Cognitive decline affects financial decision-making.
• Financial intelligence peaks in your 50s and declines by your 70s
• Confidence does not decline with age

Tip:  Simplify your finances, appoint a durable power of attorney early, and create a withdrawal strategy that doesn’t rely on frequent decision-making.
Read about transitioning from saver to confident retirement spender.

 Consider Community Living

• Retirees in community-based housing report 25%-30% higher life satisfaction
• We think that our home is a safe haven for aging, but aging in place can increase isolation.
  • Friends move away.
  • Driving becomes difficult
  • Home becomes harder to manage
• Retirees living alone after age 82 report lower life satisfaction

Tip: Make sure that your retirement living plan will allow you to continue to connect with people as you age.

While financial security is important, research shows that money alone isn’t what makes retirement truly satisfying.  Did the science behind a happy retirement change the way you are thinking about your retirement plan?

Resources:

“Spending, Relationship Quality, and Life Satisfaction in Retirement” (Finke, Ho & Huston, 2018)

3 Signs You’ll Be Happy In Retirement

Podcast: The Long View; EP23 Michael Finke: Here’s What Makes Retirees Happy

The post The Science Behind a Happy Retirement appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

The truth is, figuring out retirement spending doesn’t start with a magic formula. It starts with looking closely at the life you live today — and the one you imagine for the future. That process is simpler than most people think, but it requires a willingness to pull out the numbers and see them for what they are.

Step 1: Look at today’s spending

The best predictor of your retirement lifestyle is how you spend money right now.

Begin by asking:

• What do I spend each month on housing, food, transportation, and healthcare?
• Which costs are essential versus optional?
• How consistent is my tracking — do I actually know what I spend?

This step may feel basic, but it’s powerful. Using credit card and bank statements to ground your answers in reality helps you “feel” the numbers, not just guess at them. If you need tools to make that easier, see 3 Alternatives to the “Mint” Budgeting App.

Step 2: Separate fixed and variable expenses

A simple but powerful way to think about money is to split your expenses into two buckets:

• Fixed expenses: Mortgage or rent, property taxes, insurance premiums, utilities, basic groceries. These are your non-negotiables — they don’t go away just because you retire.
• Variable expenses: Travel, dining out, hobbies, gifts, entertainment. These are the lifestyle choices that make retirement fun, and they can flex up or down depending on your circumstances.

To get a sense of balance between these categories, many clients also find the 50-30-20 Rule of Thumb helpful — it’s a quick way to compare essentials, lifestyle, and saving against what you’re currently spending.

Step 3: Ask what carries over into retirement

Not all expenses disappear when you stop working. Some shrink, some grow, and others surprise you.

Ask yourself:

• Will I still have a mortgage, or will the house be paid off?
• How will healthcare costs change once I’m on Medicare?
• Will I travel more — or spend less on commuting and work clothes?
• What new hobbies, family support, or giving might I want to add?

You don’t need perfect answers. Even rough estimates highlight what will stay the same, what will change, and what could catch you off guard.

Step 4: Don’t forget the surprises

Even the most careful planners underestimate certain costs:

• Healthcare and long-term care: Premiums, prescriptions, and in-home or assisted care can be significant. Genworth estimates median costs at $5,000–$10,000+ per month.
• Home maintenance: Roofs, HVAC systems, and other big-ticket repairs don’t vanish in retirement.
• Lifestyle creep: More time can mean more spending on hobbies, entertainment, or family experiences.

Step 5: Put it all together with a worksheet

After walking through these steps, the next move is to put your numbers in one place. A Retirement Spending Worksheet helps you:

• Capture today’s fixed and variable expenses.
• Decide which ones continue into retirement.
• Estimate how your costs shift — higher in some areas, lower in others.
• Create a simple snapshot you can revisit every year.

You don’t need perfect answers — even ballpark numbers bring clarity and confidence.

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I hear from clients — they’ll help you gauge if you’re on track as you work through this exercise with the worksheet.

Q: How much does the average retiree spend per month?

A: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer units with a reference person aged 65 or older reported average annual expenditures of about $49,872 in 2020–2021. That works out to roughly $4,150/month.

Q: Will my expenses go down in retirement?

A: Some will (commuting, payroll taxes), but others rise (healthcare, hobbies, travel). That’s why separating fixed and variable expenses matters.

Q: How often should I update my plan?

A: At least once a year, or after big life changes such as paying off a mortgage or a health shift.

Q: What if I don’t know exact numbers?

A: Use ranges or estimates. Clarity, not perfection, is the goal.

Figuring out retirement spending starts with looking at today, separating fixed from variable, and asking which expenses carry forward. From there, you can begin to see your future life with more clarity.

At MainStreet, the clients we work with often find this exercise to be a turning point. What feels vague and overwhelming at first becomes tangible once the numbers are laid out side by side. And while the worksheet itself is simple, the act of doing it is where the real value lies. Pulling out credit card and bank statements, writing down real spending categories, and comparing them to what life might look like in retirement helps make the numbers real.

That’s exactly what the Retirement Spending Worksheet is designed to do — take your best guesses and your real numbers, and turn them into a snapshot you can build on with confidence.

Next step: Download our worksheet and sketch out your numbers. The moment you see them on paper, you’ll feel more in control of your retirement.

Fill out the form to get the worksheet link sent to you and to join our MainStreet Inbox Club

The post How Do I Figure Out What I’ll Really Spend in Retirement? appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

These rules of thumb are helpful—they give you a place to start. But they’re also overly simplistic. If you stop at the quick math, you risk overlooking some of the biggest financial realities of retirement: healthcare, long-term care, home maintenance, and lifestyle goals.

So let’s recap the three most common rules you’ve probably heard—and then talk about why they all fall short in the same way.

Rule #1: The 25X Rule

This rule says you should aim to save 25 times your expected annual retirement expenses.

• Spend $80,000 a year? Aim for $2 million.
• It’s a simple, powerful way to connect your lifestyle to your savings target.

Rule #2: The 70–80% Income Replacement Rule

This shortcut suggests you’ll need about 70–80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your lifestyle.

• Earn $100,000 now? Plan for $70,000–$80,000 in retirement.
• The logic is that some expenses (commuting, payroll taxes, retirement savings) disappear when you stop working.

Rule #3: The 4% Withdrawal Rule

This rule assumes you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio each year without running out of money.

• A $1 million portfolio → ~$40,000/year.
• It accounts for market downturns and inflation by relying on long-term averages.

Where These Rules Fall Short

On paper, these rules make sense. In real life, retirement is messy. And here’s where most people stumble: estimating future expenses correctly.

• Tracking: Very few of us have a reliable system for tracking spending. Some use spreadsheets, some use apps, but many don’t track at all. And even among those who try, it’s tough to stay consistent. According to Investopedia, while 86% of Americans say they budget, only about 22% actually stick with it long-term (Investopedia). Without reliable data today, projecting tomorrow is nearly impossible.
• Emotion: Spending isn’t just math—it’s emotional. It reflects priorities, and those priorities change. One year it’s travel, the next it’s helping kids, later it may be healthcare or downsizing.
• Life stages: Retirement unfolds in phases. What you spend at 65 looks very different from what you spend at 85.
• Long-term care: The biggest blind spot. According to Genworth’s 2024 Cost of Care Survey, median costs range from $5,000–$10,000+ per month for assisted living or in-home care (Genworth). Yet it almost never gets included in a “25X” calculation or a 4% withdrawal plan.
• Big-ticket surprises: Roof replacements, major dental bills, car purchases—expenses like these don’t fit neatly into a monthly budget but are very real.

The Bottom Line

The 25X Rule, the 70–80% Rule, and the 4% Rule are useful. We share them with clients all the time because they provide a sense of direction when retirement feels overwhelming. But here’s the truth we’ve seen over and over again: they give comfort, not clarity.

Comfort comes from a simple formula that tells you you’re “on track.” Clarity comes from knowing your plan accounts for healthcare, long-term care, home repairs, shifting priorities, and those big expenses you don’t see coming.

That’s why my message is always the same: start with the shortcuts—but don’t stop there. Ask yourself:

• What expenses am I not accounting for?
• How will my priorities change over time?
• What surprises could throw off my plan?
• What big ticket items are coming up?

That’s when retirement planning shifts from being about numbers on a page to building a roadmap that supports the life you actually want to live. And that’s the point: not just reaching retirement, but being able to enjoy it with confidence.

The post The Retirement Rules Everyone Quotes—And the Gaps They Miss appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

Here’s what you need to know to avoid Medicare late enrollment penalties while continuing to work past age 65.

Understanding Medicare Parts and Potential Penalties

Medicare consists of several parts, and not all of them are mandatory at age 65. But delaying enrollment in certain parts without proper coverage can result in permanent financial penalties.

Do You Need to Enroll in Medicare at Age 65?

That depends on your current health insurance:

• If your employer (or your spouse’s) has 20 or more employees, and you’re actively working, you can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B and D without penalty. The employer’s plan is considered creditable coverage, meaning it meets Medicare’s standards.
• If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, you generally must enroll in Medicare when you turn 65. In this case, Medicare becomes your primary insurance, and delaying could lead to gaps in coverage and penalties.

When You Retire: Use the Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

Once you stop working or lose employer coverage (whichever happens first), you enter what Medicare calls a Special Enrollment Period. This allows you to sign up for Medicare without facing penalties.

• You have 8 months to enroll in Part B after your employment or group coverage ends.
• You have 63 days to enroll in Part D after your drug coverage ends.

Failing to enroll within these windows can trigger the penalties listed above.

Key Steps to Avoid Penalties

1. Confirm Your Employer Coverage Is Creditable
   Talk to your HR or benefits administrator to confirm whether your current plan counts as creditable coverage for Medicare Parts B and D.

• Creditable coveragemeans the employer health plan is at least as good as Medicare.
• If your current employer coverageis creditable, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare Part B and/or Part D without penalties.
• If it’snot creditable, you need to enroll in Medicare when first eligible to avoid penalties and coverage gaps.

1. Gather the Required Paperwork
   When you retire and apply for Medicare Part B, you’ll need to submit Form CMS-L564 (Request for Employment Information), signed by your employer. This proves you had coverage and qualifies you for penalty-free late enrollment.
2. Time Your Enrollment Carefully
   Enroll during your Special Enrollment Period instead of using the General Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31), which may result in a coverage gap and penalties. Also, COBRA isn’t considered group health plan coverage, so again, use the Special Enrollment Period!

Should You Enroll in Medicare Part A at 65?

Many people enroll in Medicare Part A at 65, even while working, because:

• It’s free if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
• It can serve as secondary insurance to your employer plan.

However, if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) and want to continue contributing to it, do not enroll in any part of Medicare, including Part A. Once you enroll, you can no longer contribute to your HSA.

Working past 65 doesn’t mean you’ll be penalized by Medicare — but it does require some proactive planning. By understanding your coverage, and acting during the correct enrollment windows, you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure a smooth transition when you’re ready to retire.

Go to www.medicare.gov for more information and download the Medicare and You handbook. These resources can answer many of your questions about enrolling for Medicare.

The post How to Avoid Medicare Penalties When Working Past 65 appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

Thanks to the SECURE Act 2.0, the starting age for RMDs has recently changed:

• If you were born between 1951 and 1959, your RMDs begin at age 73
• If you were born in 1960 or later, they begin at age 75

This gives many retirees a bit more time to plan—whether that’s converting to a Roth IRA, using taxable accounts first, or simply letting your money grow a little longer. We covered this in more detail in our article, SECURE Act 2.0 May Change Your RMD Age.

How do RMDs work?

Each year, the IRS uses your prior year’s December 31 account balance and a life expectancy factor to calculate your required withdrawal. You can withdraw more if you’d like, but not less. If you don’t take your RMD by the deadline, you could face a steep penalty—50% of the amount you were supposed to withdraw (though recent law changes now allow for more leniency if corrected promptly).

And keep in mind, RMDs are taxable as ordinary income, so they can impact your overall tax picture, Social Security taxation, and even Medicare premiums. That’s why we always encourage building RMDs into your broader retirement income strategy.

Charitable Giving Strategy: QCDs

If you’re charitably inclined, there’s a smart way to meet your RMD and support a cause you care about: the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). This allows individuals age 70½ or older to donate directly from their IRA to a qualified charity—up to $100,000 per year. QCDs count toward your RMD and don’t increase your taxable income.

We go deeper on how this works in our article, Give Your Way: Exploring the Many Paths to Charitable Giving.

3 Tips to Stay Ahead of RMDs:

1. Track your age and know when your RMDs begin—missing one is costly.
2. Set a reminder for the December 31 deadline each year (except for your very first RMD, which can be delayed to April 1).
3. Work with your financial planner to coordinate withdrawals with your other income sources and tax planning opportunities.

The truth is, RMDs aren’t just about following IRS rules—they’re a key part of managing your retirement income wisely. With the right strategy in place, you can turn RMDs into a tool for reducing taxes, supporting causes you care about, and staying in control of your financial future.

The post Understanding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

Here’s how to build resilience into your retirement plan, no matter what the markets are doing.

1. Strengthen Your Foundation First
   A resilient retirement starts with the basics:

• Emergency Savings: Keep 6–12 months of expenses in a high-yield savings or money market account.
• Debt: Do your best to minimize high-interest debt before retiring.
• Spending Plan: Know what your retirement life costs and be sure to account for inflation.

2. Don’t Rely on Just One- or Two-Income Sources
   Having multiple streams of income helps smooth things out when markets get choppy. Think beyond just Social Security and a 401(k):

• Pension or annuity income
• Taxable brokerage account
• Rental income
• Part-time work or consulting

A healthy mix of stable and growth-oriented income gives you more flexibility when times get tough.

3. Match Investments to Your Time Horizon
   Even in retirement, you’ll likely need your money to last 20–30 years. That means growth still matters. Use a bucket strategy:

• Bucket 1 (Years 1–3): Cash and short-term bonds for immediate needs
• Bucket 2 (Years 4–7): Income-producing investments like dividend stocks or intermediate-term bonds
• Bucket 3 (Years 8+): Stocks or real estate funds for long-term growth

This gives you time to wait out downturns instead of selling your long-term investments at a loss.

4. Avoid Emotional Decisions
   Market declines are tough—but reacting emotionally can do more harm than good.

• Use your cash and bonds to cover expenses during rough markets.
• Stay invested and rebalance when needed.
• Keep in mind: recoveries usually follow downturns.

5. Make Thoughtful Adjustments When Needed
   You don’t need to overhaul your plan every time markets dip. Small adjustments can go a long way:

• Pause or reduce discretionary spending
• Postpone major purchases
• Revisit your withdrawal strategy—aim to keep it under 4% annually

6. Lean on a Fiduciary Advisor
   Having someone who knows your full picture and isn’t emotionally tied to the market can be invaluable. A fiduciary financial planner helps you:

• Stress-test your plan for different market scenarios
• Make tax-efficient choices
• Stay focused on your long-term goals

Final Thought
You can’t predict the market—but you can plan for the unknown. A resilient retirement plan keeps you grounded, even when the headlines feel uncertain. If you’re unsure whether your plan is built for that kind of strength, let’s talk. A retirement check-in could make all the difference.

The post Retirement Resilience: How to Stay Steady in an Unsteady Market appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

At MainStreet, we help clients plan financially every day. But we’ve also seen what happens when someone enters retirement without a plan for how they’ll spend their time, find purpose, or stay connected. That emotional and lifestyle transition can be just as important as your investment portfolio.

Here are some questions worth asking as you prepare:

• What will a typical day look like in retirement?

• How will you spend your time—and with whom?

• What brings you joy, energy, or a sense of purpose?

• What hobbies or activities do you want to explore?

• How is your health, and what will it take to stay active?

From “What I Am” to “Who I Am”

As human beings, we go through several stages in life—childhood, young adulthood, career years—but retirement requires a shift many aren’t prepared for. We’re no longer defined by job titles or daily routines. Instead, it becomes a question of identity: Who am I now, and how do I want to live?

That’s why we were inspired by the work of Sara Zeff Geber, Ph.D., a retirement transition expert and founder of LifeEncore. She specializes in helping baby boomers and solo agers navigate this exact transition, beyond the numbers.

Sara encourages people to think in four categories:

• What you have (your resources—financial and otherwise)

• What you enjoy (travel, hobbies, volunteering, creativity)

• What do you want to learn (new skills, passions, or experiences)

• How do you want to live (your environment, community, and daily rhythm)

Your Retirement, Your Design

The beauty of this phase of life? There’s no one-size-fits-all model. You get to choose what it looks like—and how it feels. The earlier you start planning the non-financial side of retirement, the more fulfilling it can be.

It’s never too late to start asking the right questions—and it’s always the right time to build a life you love.

The post Non-Financial Side of Retirement … Are you ready? appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

For these clients, it’s not just the delivery of a solid, financial plan.  We also have a conversation around who is going to be in “Circle of Support”—a mix of people who could offer emotional, practical, and professional support during this next chapter of life.

If you’re facing retirement without family, considering a similar move—or just wondering how to strengthen your connections in retirement—here are five steps to help you build a support network without relying on family.

1. Reflect on Your Needs and Strengths

Begin by thinking about the kind of support you want or need in this next stage of life:

• Emotional: Companionship, encouragement, or a trusted friend to talk to.
• Practical: Help with errands, home maintenance, or rides to appointments.
• Professional: Advisors who can support your financial, health, or legal decisions.

Also, consider what you bring to the table. Do you have time to help others? A skill to share? Support networks are most rewarding when they’re mutual.

2. Reconnect and Strengthen Relationships

You may already have people in your life who could be part of your circle—you just need to nurture the connection.

• Reconnect with old co-workers, friends, neighbors you’ve lost touch with.
• Strengthen your current friendships by scheduling regular calls, planning outings, or sharing experiences together.

Even small steps—like inviting someone for coffee—can lead to meaningful connections over time.

3. Expand Your Network with Intention

When you’re ready to meet new people, seek out opportunities based on shared interests:

• Hobbies: Join local clubs or online groups focused on something you enjoy.  If you love hiking, join a local hiking group.  If you love theater, volunteer to paint scenes at the local theater.  Join a book club, craft or gardening club to meet your kind of people.
• Community resources: Check out offerings at your local senior center or community center. Many offer fitness classes, art workshops, or lifelong learning courses.
• Support groups: If you’re facing a specific challenge—like caregiving, chronic illness, or grief—there are groups filled with people who understand.
• Online tools: Sites like Meetup.com, NextDoor or Facebook Groups can help you connect with like-minded people in your area.

And remember—if you don’t find something that fits, create your own.

4. Communicate Clearly and Set Boundaries

Building a support system means inviting people into your life—but also setting healthy expectations.

• Be honest about what kind of help you’re seeking.
• Understand that not everyone will have the capacity to meet those needs—and that’s okay.
• Clarify your own limits, too, so you don’t become overwhelmed by trying to be everything to everyone.

Healthy boundaries make relationships stronger and more sustainable.

5. Make It Mutual

Support isn’t just about what you receive—offering your time, presence, or skills helps relationships flourish. Whether it’s helping a friend with tech, offering to walk a neighbor’s dog, or simply listening when someone’s had a hard day, reciprocity creates a sense of community and purpose.

You’re Not Alone

Retirement without family can feel uncertain—but it doesn’t have to be lonely. By reflecting on your needs, reaching out to others, and being open to new experiences, you can build your own Circle of Support.

Start by reaching out to one person today. You may be surprised by how ready others are to connect—and how fulfilling this next chapter can truly be.

Other Helpful Resources:

Creating Your Solo Aging Plan

Navigating Solo Network and Resources Library

Solo Aging and the Importance of Building a Local Support Network 

How to Build Your MicroBoard (And Be the Chair of Your Board!)

13 Ways to Live a Dynamic Life 

With the increasing awareness of Solo Aging, help with planning can also be found through many organizations around the country, including senior centers, area agencies on aging, and county offices of aging.

Online search suggestions:  Search “solo aging”, “childfree”

The post Facing Retirement Without Family: How to Build Your Circle of Support appeared first on MainStreet Financial Planning.

Retiring or furloughed before age 65 is a long-term goal or a dire situation for many older workers who find themselves in the middle class these days.  With the exception of many government workers and military retirees, health insurance and its attendant cost is the number one worry for early retirees, either by design or default.

There are several options for health care coverage prior to Medicare, and most are costly in comparison to employer-provided plans, where premiums are shared with an employer.

In our experience, there are five options for potential early retirees to study and monitor as they approach the need for health care services in the independent retired phase before age 65:

• COBRA – which provides the same coverage from the most recent employer for up to 18 months in most situations. The cost is usually double pre-retirement costs.
• Private – Going directly to an insurer for an individual medical plan with various co-pays and deductibles is pretty easy, but usually very costly. It’s not unusual for individuals to pay $1,200 to $2,000 a month for good coverage with low deductibles.
• Health Insurance Marketplace – These are the options available under the Affordable Care Act, providing comprehensive coverage and sometimes being subsidized at lower income levels. Click here to learn more. 
• Spouse – Having a working spouse with health care benefits can provide coverage for an early retiree.
• Medical Sharing – These are faith-based programs that reimburse for covered expenses out of a fund pool that is contributed to on a monthly basis. Pre-existing conditions and some conditions (pregnancy out of wedlock) may not be covered in several of these plans based on a certain belief system.

Here’s what you can do to plan ahead as you search out these alternatives:

1. Talk to recent retiree colleagues and ask for their experiences and how they scoped out the health care alternatives.
2. Talk to fellow church or social club members to ask about their health care decisions and their experience with the alternatives we’ve mentioned.
3. Contact your county Area Agency on Aging for a referral to decision helpers. They provided that information to me when I needed to assist a family member located in another state.
4. Talk to your physician or office staff and ask them for their opinion on how to pay for medical services.
5. Finally, ask other family members and relatives for their opinion about obtaining local medical services as it pertains to cost and value for premiums or cost-sharing contributions

Good luck and happy hunting. Remember that you can contribute to lower costs by exercising and eating healthy.

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