The Future for Single Women: Working Into Their 60s and 70s — Not by Choice, But by Necessity

The romantic ideal of marriage as a path to lifelong security is fading — and with it, the financial safety net that many women once counted on.

As marriage rates decline and independence becomes the norm, a new reality is setting in for millions of women: no husband means no financial backup plan. And in a world where costs are rising, wages often lag behind, and life expectancy keeps increasing, that means one thing —

Women will be working into their 60s and 70s. Not because they want to. Because they have to.

Marriage Is No Longer the Default

More women than ever are single — and staying that way.

Over 50% of U.S. women under 30 are unmarried. The median age of first marriage is now 29. Many women may never marry at all. Divorce and widowhood increase the number of single older women every year.

This isn’t just a lifestyle trend — it has massive financial consequences.

For decades, traditional marriages allowed women to pause or slow their careers, knowing a husband would eventually provide through income, retirement funds, and Social Security. But in today’s world, that model is disappearing.

You Are Your Own Retirement Plan

For women without a spouse — or those whose marriages don’t last — the financial burden falls entirely on their shoulders. That means:

Saving and investing alone. Navigating healthcare costs without spousal insurance. Relying solely on Social Security based on your own earnings history. Planning for housing, long-term care, and emergencies without help.

Most women are not financially prepared for this. Many don’t realize it until it’s too late.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Median retirement age for women: 62. Life expectancy for women: 79. Average 401(k) savings for women in their 50s: around $117,000.

That amount provides less than $500 a month in retirement income.

Without a partner’s pension or savings, those numbers fall far short of what’s needed to live securely.

No Shared Mortgage, No Built-in Caregiver

Marriage often comes with a second income and a shared household. It often also provides a default caregiver in old age.

Without that, single women face:

Rising rent or housing costs. A higher risk of poverty and isolation. No one to provide help during illness or disability.

Long-term care insurance is expensive. Many can’t afford it. Family support is not guaranteed.

The Emotional Cost

For women raised to believe marriage would provide safety, this shift can be devastating. It’s not just about money — it’s about the story many believed their life would follow.

The reality is harder, lonelier, and more demanding than expected.

Independence Isn’t Optional Anymore

The old narrative — "someone will take care of me" — is obsolete. The new one is simple: You will have to take care of yourself.

Whether it feels fair or not, this is the landscape. And ignoring it doesn’t change it.

This isn’t fearmongering. It’s a clear-eyed look at what’s coming — and what it will take to survive it.