You're retiring before 65. Nobody else is on the plan.
Three paperbacks for retiring before 65 on your own: the papers that say who may act for you, the care somebody has to arrange, and the coverage that has to last until Medicare.
Helps you understand how to bridge the gap until Medicare is available
TheresaVerified reader · Jul 2026
Finally names the invisible second job of long-term care
ChantalVerified reader · Sep 2026
If you are planning to age alone…take a look at this book.
TanyaVerified reader · Aug 2026
Written by
M. E. Hart
Retired product leader with a career in healthcare and insurance.
She spent years translating complicated systems, paperwork and decisions into consumer experiences people could actually use. Retirement In Order applies that same approach to aging, retirement and getting important affairs organized.
Try this first
Six blanks a spouse and a job would normally fill.
In a couple, most of these go to one person by default. At work, the plan picked your coverage and HR picked the dates. Retire early on your own and every one of these is yours.
Who is allowed to talk to your doctors?
Who can legally decide if you can't?
Who drives you home after a procedure?
Who finds the help at home, and checks on it?
What covers you between your last paycheck and 65?
What will this year's income do to your premium?
All six get answered in the end. The only question is whether you answered them, or a deadline and whoever was there on the day.
What a blank costs
Left blank
Filled in
The hospital asks for next of kin. There isn't one.
Someone you named, already on the file
A discharge becomes a logistics problem that afternoon
A name and a number, agreed while nothing was urgent
The cost of care is whatever you find out that week
A figure you looked up on an ordinary Tuesday
COBRA at up to 102% of the premium, because its letter came first
COBRA and a Marketplace plan priced in the same year
The year's income lands wherever it lands
Income set on purpose, against the 2026 subsidy rules
Whichever blanks are still open is what these three books are for.
What changes when they arrive
This is what you'll have settled by the time you put them down — settled, not researched. Three paperbacks, 516 pages, posted together with free US shipping.
Have the authority in writing while it's still yours to sign
Who may hear a diagnosis, sign a form or move money for you — chosen, asked and put on paper while it is still your call.
Who to ask when there is no obvious person, the script for asking, and a backup for the day your first choice can't.
Healthcare proxy, HIPAA authorization and durable power of attorney — and SSA's advance designation, which is a preference on file, not a power of attorney.
146 pages, opening on the conversation most solo plans skip
Know what the care costs, and who runs it
What an hour of help costs where you live, where Medicare stops paying, and the jobs somebody has to keep doing once it starts.
Four kinds of help priced by the hour, and the public front doors that come before paying privately.
The Care Management Map: one row per job, and a name or a blank in each.
294 pages on the job nobody names
Have coverage that reaches 65
COBRA and a Marketplace plan compared in the same year, and the income figure that decides what you pay, worked on your own numbers.
The 2026 subsidy rules, where the income cliffs sit, and the MAGI levers you actually control.
The enrollment windows you can't miss, and the year-by-year handoff to Medicare.
76 pages, with six solo scenarios worked end to end
Peek inside
See the actual pages
Not descriptions of the pages — the pages. Swipe through, and tap any one to read it full size.
Know it reasons with youSo you're reading an argument for the household of one, not another fill-in form.Solo Aging · Chapter 1 — The RealizationKnow what nobody tells youSo the part of care nobody pictures, keeping it running, is named before it lands on you.Long-Term Care · Chapter 1 — The Second JobKnow what the job actually isSo the work you would be asking somebody to take on sits on one page before you ask them.Long-Term Care · The Care Management MapKnow who to call firstSo the numbers are found on an ordinary Tuesday rather than on the afternoon they are needed.Long-Term Care · My First-Call ListKnow why solo changes the mathSo the advice assumes one income and one decision-maker, not a couple's plan cut in half.Health Insurance · Chapter 1 — Why "solo" changes everythingCompare COBRA and the MarketplaceSo COBRA and a Marketplace plan get compared on the same page, in the same year.Health Insurance · Chapter 2 — Your real coverage options (when there's no spouse's plan)Recheck it every fallSo the dates, the poverty-line figures and your income estimate are rechecked before you renew.Health Insurance · A. The annual open-enrollment checklistKnow who may act for youSo the papers that decide who signs for you exist before the day somebody needs them.Solo Aging · The Solo Ager's Document Kit
From the author, one clip per book
Twenty-five seconds on who would decide for you. Thirty-six on the care itself, when there is no one else to call. Then twenty-five on the years before Medicare.
Solo aging without a spouse or kids — who would decide for you?
See the full contents list
Your care network
Your chosen "who's my person"
Exactly how to ask — the script
A roster, not a single soulmate
The legal scaffolding
Healthcare proxy & HIPAA authorization
Durable power of attorney
Will, trust & no default next-of-kin
Who decides if you can't
Agents, backups & professional fiduciaries
Guardianship you choose vs. one imposed
SSA advance designation
Funding a solo old age
Long-term-care costs & insurance
Medicaid, spend-down & the single math
Medicare is not long-term care
Housing while you still choose
Age in place vs. move on your terms
CCRCs, the Village movement, co-housing
PACE and the isolation risk
The human side
Being your own health advocate
Designing connection on purpose
Cognitive decline & final wishes
Long-term care when there's no one else to call — 36-second overview
See the full contents list
The job nobody names
The second job — arranging, not bathing
The care you are already running today
Four kinds of help, and how yours unfolds
What it costs, and what pays
Priced by the hour — the real arithmetic
What Medicare actually does, and doesn't
What actually pays for the hours
Bringing care into your home
Where care actually starts
Agency or direct hire
Vetting, scope, and the agreement
Running it and watching it
The manager's job, week to week
Who watches the care when you can't
Who is picking you up after the procedure
When home stops working
The honest signs the arrangement has ended
The settings, compared without a brochure
Choosing a place as the person who'll live in it
When you can't run it yourself
Handing it over, and to whom
Professional backup, checked first
The care management map
Retiring before 65 — could a health scare undo your plan?
See the full contents list
Your coverage options
The Marketplace, plan by plan
COBRA — when it's worth it
Bridging gaps and short-term traps
The 2026 subsidy rules
How premium tax credits work now
Where the income cliffs sit
What changed for 2026
The MAGI control game
What counts toward your income
Levers you actually control
The free Solo Bridge Worksheet, to download
Six worked case studies
Real solo-retiree scenarios
The math, step by step
What each one should do
Your timeline to 65
A year-by-year plan
Enrollment windows you can't miss
The handoff to Medicare
Built for a household of one
No spouse's plan assumed
One income, one decision-maker
Written to you, not a family
Before the books arrive
Three things you can settle tonight.
None needs a book in the house. Every one is a number or a name the books start from.
1
Name who you'd want speaking for you
Then ask yourself whether you have ever actually asked them.
2
Find the date your work coverage ends
It's in your benefits paperwork. HealthCare.gov's 60-day window to pick a plan counts from it, in both directions.
3
Write down this year's expected income
Your best estimate, every source. It's the figure a Marketplace plan's price turns on.
Do those three and the books start from your own numbers, not a blank page.
Get the coverage, the paperwork and the care plan in place.
Bought separately$80.97Save $10.98
Three paperbacks. Free US shipping.
What readers say
4.737
Pooled across all three books in the bundle. Every review we have is below — nothing is filtered out.
“If you are retired and cannot yet get Medicare, this book is for you!”
If you retire early to enjoy yourself, health insurance can be an issue. This book helps you understand how to bridge the gap until Medicare is available. This book is aimed at single people that have done all the hard work to retire before 65 years old but now need medical coverage for this gap. This is a practical guide that provides a wealth of information so that you do not overpay. The first part of the book explains the landscape and the options, while the second part of the book talks strategy. The third part of the book gets into the execution year-by-year so you can make it to 65 successfully and with some money in your pockets. This book is short and does not need to be read cover-to-cover but can be used as a resource and a guide, so grab your copy.
Theresa, verified reader · Jul 2026
“A Guide for the Solo Ager”
That opening scene the Tuesday morning aide who never shows, leaving the woman in the apartment unaware of the two hours of frantic phone calls happening behind the scenes to fix her week hit me like a gut punch. This book finally names the invisible second job of long-term care, the one that nobody pictures when they imagine needing help. The author walks you through every terrifying blank on that Care Management Map at the back with such patient, unflinching clarity that I felt less alone just reading it. M.E. Hart doesn't sell false comfort, she hands you a flashlight and a map, then sits beside you while you figure out which caverns are yours to cross alone.
Chantal, verified reader · Sep 2026
“If you are planning to age alone or you know someone who is take a look at this book.”
I really enjoyed this book. I think anyone older and looking to age solo can get something from this book. I feel there were many ideas and guidance in this book. I love how the author points out some of us were just caregivers for loved ones and have been down this road but we were taking care of other people now its about us and we need to make a plan read this book if you want some good guidance in this direction.
Tanya, verified reader · Aug 2026
Read all 37 reviewsHide reviews
“Planning for the Days We Cannot Predict”
Life is fragile, and it can change in the blink of an eye. You can wake up on an ordinary Friday morning with nothing out of the ordinary, never imagining that you may not see the next day—or that your health could suddenly change and lead to doctor’s appointments, hospital visits, and decisions you never expected to face. I believe deeply in the providence of God. I didn’t know when I was coming into this world, and I don’t know when I will leave it. But trusting God doesn’t mean I shouldn’t prepare for the years ahead. That is what drew me to Retirement in Order: Long-Term Care on Your Own. This book provides a sense of structure and a practical framework for thinking about something many of us would rather avoid: How will I care for myself if I grow older without a spouse or adult children to rely on? As someone without children, I found this perspective especially meaningful. Retirement planning is often presented around the traditional family structure, but not everyone will have a spouse, children, or relatives available to step in when they need assistance. That doesn’t mean we should approach the future with fear; it means we can approach it with intention. This book encourages readers to think ahead about long-term care, support systems, finances, housing, decision-making, and the practical realities of aging independently. For me, the biggest takeaway is that planning for my latter days isn’t a lack of faith—it can actually be an act of stewardship. I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I can make thoughtful decisions today that give my future self more options, dignity, and peace. If you are aging without a spouse or adult children, or simply want to be more intentional about your later years, this is a guide worth picking up. We cannot control how life unfolds, but we can prepare for the possibilities while trusting God with the outcome.
Youde, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Great tool for those needing to make a will!”
This is a wonderful book for those that need to plan their will, but do not have dependents or a spouse.
It is difficult to plan who to have serve as your power of attorney if you do not have immediate family.
This book goes into detail about everything from who will make your medical decisions if you can't to affording housing and your care as you age. Most people have their spouse, dependents or family as their POA, but what if you are not married or widowed? And have no children or living family members? This is something that a person must think about when they are alone and need someone to trust that can provide these services.
As someone with no children, I did not think much of my care since I am married. But if I am a surviving spouse in old age I need to have a care network of those that can help as I age. This book has been a tremendous help and made me think of things that could become issues in the future. I highly recommend this book for anyone of any age planning their will, elder care, etc. It gives you topics and issues to consider that may not be on your radar right now.
Heather, verified reader · Jul 2026
“Feel Better About Solo Aging!!”
Solo Aging is straightforward and a little scary as it encourages people to come to the realization that they don't have "a default person" who can help when they need an emergency contact, someone to take them home after an emergency procedure, know where the important papers are, someone to help with medications....and on and on. I read this book because this has been weighing on my mind a lot, and it helped erase some fears and negative thoughts that started a year or so ago. For one thing, Solo Aging is "A category, not a character flaw." This book will help you change your views from negative to more positive about solo aging. Each chapter helps you choose the person or persons who can help you later in life. I loved the idea to include one or two people to watch for signs of physical and especially cognitive decline. This is a valuable book!
Jenni, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Having a plan is very important!”
The disclaimer up front is very important because rules and laws are so different in each state and also seem to change frequently. I feel like things are more complicated in retirement… I thought things would be made easier for us seniors, but nope. The ‘2 a.m. self-talk’ as described in the book hits the nail on the head. The goal reinforced here is to have a plan. Being alone is OK, but have plans in place. Solo-ager is a new reference term for me. I have to admit, I have learned a lot because I’ve had to step in for an aunt who never had children and is now over 100 years old. I have learned a LOT dealing with her, and the fact that I have no children and am a widow. This book is great. I like the pace and its honest but gentle and practical advice. As a bonus, there’s a document kit at the end of the book. Nice!
Some, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Good Book”
It's a sad thing to be alone. I watched this with my sister. She would just sit in her room and wait to pass on. I wish I had this guide to give to her. But now I find that I'm in the same situation with my older brother who lost his wife and seem stuck. So I got this for him to hopefully help him make a turnaround and make some plans as he gets older. So we'll know what to do or what he wants to do. This is one of those books you should have in your library whether you are alone or not. We all know someone that's aging and along and maybe this will help them.
Cheryl, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Good Resource for Planning for our Elder Years”
Good Informational book to help those who are wanting to be well informed about the aging years ahead of us. This book is geared to someone who is a “solo” heading into the aged years, but there are many things that elder couples can use also.
Many important issues are covered. Important documents to have in order, medical care, support system. Making decisions and having backups installed and ready for when they are needed. This lets you age independently, feeling prepared for your future.
Deb, verified reader · Sep 2026
“An eye-opening book with a lot of greeting information”
This was a great resource. It had a lot of interesting points and gave a lot of information for someone who is going through the aging process alone. Talks about where to start information that you need paperwork, figuring out how to choose that someone that can make decisions in case you can’t make them yourself. And how to choose the right person for that. As someone who doesn’t have family or a spouse is definitely something that I need to start looking into.
Rosemarie, verified reader · Aug 2026
“Long term care on your own”
This book is a great addition to your elderly care plan. It will help you along with planning for your self care as you age. It also gives pointers on what Medicare covers and the basics and how to for daily care from hospital, being at home alone and employing outside help if you don't have a family member close by or present. It's great information that can assist you in making an informed decision on you long term care.
Hidy, verified reader · Aug 2026
“Great Guide”
This is a great guide for people who are preparing to age independently without assuming family will always be available. The advice is clear, realistic, and gives useful steps for organizing healthcare, finance, housing, important documents before they are needed. Some of the information are easy to overlook, but the concrete actions at the end of each chapter makes the planning feel much more useful..
Devon, verified reader · Sep 2026
“Awesome!”
The thought process of this guide is absolutely amazing. I don’t think I really ever thought so in depth about living ahead. I think as humans we’re so into living in the now more so. This book is so real and very in depth how it is written. I can also see the author is speaking from their perspective and that very refreshing to read about. This is such a great and very informative piece!
Charise, verified reader · Sep 2026
“Practical Guidance for Solo Aging”
Solo Aging: Living Well & Planning Ahead is written in a straightforward, clear way. It contains a plethora of useful information (for both solo agers as well as those with partners)! Especially useful is the Appendix that includes a Document Kit with actionable steps to complete in order to feel prepared to "exit on your own terms."
Wendy, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Good book for discussing health options”
This is a good book for solo retirees who do not have access to a partner's/spouse benefits. Explains the rules of the IRS and healthcare in simple language. Discusses COBRA, HSA and other options. Highly recommend for those who do not understand all the complicated jargon.
Love, verified reader · Jul 2026
“Well done guide.”
Good book. Very useful, factually correct information. My only suggestion is that in the next edition, I add more information about Medicaid and Expansion states, as there was only a few short paragraphs and many single older people end up there.
M.S., verified reader · Aug 2026
“Comprehensive Read”
Aging is A great thing but it come with challenges of taking care of yourself as well this book gives you the tools to do just that make sure you are planning properly and taking care of literally all your needs from health to estate planning
Hmh, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Very informative and detailed”
Wow, this book is packed with useful information and detailed explanations. It even gives many real life scenarios to assist the reader in making the correct derision on the insurance options. I would highly recommend it.
Audrey, verified reader · Jul 2026
“Solo Aging”
This book offers some practical tips and some excellent information if you are interested in learning more about retiring successfully.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Verified reader · Aug 2026
“easy to understand”
informative and well written in easy to understand language. I benifited fro quite a bit of the information that was provided > I liked the way the ideas were broken down into easy to understand sections.
Karen, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Useful Tips”
Not necessarily only for solo aging but could be useful to anyone thinking for self. Ideas outlined here are easy to consider using.
Beachwriter, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Insurance”
I've always looked at insurance as a scam and I still do but this book helped me learn the ins and outs of it.
KT, verified reader · Aug 2026
“Guide for financial and medical preparedness for elders who are alone”
All in one guide for those who grow older alone but need a plan to secure themselves financially and medically
Karen, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Insurance for retirement”
This book goes over health insurance for when you retire and just explains everything in the whole process
Leza, verified reader · Aug 2026
“Book For Those Planning On Retiring Now Or In The Future”
A Very Interesting Book to Read for Those who want to plan or are planning to retire. A++
Robyn, verified reader · Aug 2026
“planning ahead”
great read for people who love to plan ahead for the future! definitely a must read
Christi, verified reader · Sep 2026
“Wow”
This book is usually not my cup of tea but it was really good!
Your, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Practical”
Solo Aging addresses an important part of getting older that many planning guides overlook: what happens when there isn’t one obvious person you can depend on. I appreciated how practical the approach is, covering questions about medical care, decision-making, important documents, housing, and building a reliable support system. Rather than focusing only on finances, it considers the everyday situations where another person may eventually need to step in. The emphasis on creating backups and making decisions before they’re urgently needed is especially useful. A thoughtful and practical resource for anyone planning to age independently and wanting to feel better prepared for the future.
Shannon, verified reader · Sep 2026
“Planning Beyond the Care Itself”
I appreciated how this book looks at long-term care from a practical angle that is easy to overlook: who actually manages everything when help is needed. The distinction between receiving care and coordinating care stood out to me. I also liked the planning tools, especially the first-call list, hiring questions, and care management map. Rather than making assumptions about where readers live or what resources they have, the book encourages them to identify what applies locally. The focus on backup plans and eventually handing over responsibilities makes the subject feel more manageable and concrete.
Nathan, verified reader · Sep 2026
“Solo Aging: Living Well & Plaaning Ahead!”
This book is great for those who are without kids, or spouses and they're getting older. You're getting older by yourself and need to learn how to find a person who can be your emergency contact, assist you with going to your Doctor appointments, learn what you want for your final wishes. It also explains how to be your own health advocate. It teaches you to plan ahead.
Lisa, verified reader · Aug 2026
“Recommend”
It's straightforward, realistic, and sometimes a little uncomfortable which is why I found it useful. It made me realize that the best time to figure out who will manage my care is while I'm still capable of making the decisions myself.
Kayla, verified reader · Aug 2026
“The nexts step”
I found this book repeated some of the same information. However for the most part it contains great information for some who has no family to help with age and the steps they need to take
Kathy, verified reader · Jul 2026
“Long term care on your own”
This guide helps you to cope with aging when you are on your own. It helps you to plan for what it could be like when you are elderly and alone.
Tanya, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Insightful”
Very insightful. Brought this book for an elderly friend of mine and they really appreciate the tips on navigating as they get older.
Verified reader · Oct 2026
“Long Term Care On Your Own”
It's a very straightforward book, it talks about all of the necessary topics that should be discussed as you get older.
Riley, verified reader · Aug 2026
“Informative, but Nothing That Really Stood Out”
This book was okay, but I wouldn’t say it was anything exceptional. The concept is definitely useful, especially for people who are planning for their future without a spouse or adult children to rely on. It touches on an important topic that doesn’t always get enough attention. However, I was hoping for something a little more detailed and engaging. While there is some helpful information, I didn’t feel like it offered anything particularly groundbreaking. It’s a decent starting point for someone beginning to think about long-term care planning, but I wouldn’t rely on it as my only resource. Overall, not a bad book, just not one that really impressed me.
Jazmyn, verified reader · Oct 2026
“Good read”
this book was alright just not exactly what i thought it would be
Rhonda, verified reader · Oct 2026
Where the numbers come from
Three books, every rule traced to whoever set it.
The subsidy rules are the Marketplace's. What Medicare does and doesn't cover is Medicare's own published position, and who qualifies for help with long-term care is Medicaid's. Each one is named on the page where it's used, so you can go and check it instead of taking our word for it.
HealthCare.govMarketplace plans, and the financial-assistance rules
MedicareLimited skilled care, not ongoing custodial care
MedicaidWho qualifies for help with long-term care
County aging agenciesWhich programs actually run where you live
Good to know
Common questions
What's actually in the bundle?
All three paperbacks, shipped together in one parcel: Health Insurance for the Solo Early Retiree (76 pages), Solo Aging (146 pages) and Long-Term Care on Your Own (294 pages), all 5.5x8.5. They're the same editions sold separately. Nothing is abridged.
How is this different from The Solo Series?
It's those two books plus Health Insurance for the Solo Early Retiree, the 76-page guide to covering yourself in the years before Medicare with no spouse's plan behind you. The pair covers who may act for you and arranging the care. The third book is the one for the years before 65.
Which one should I read first?
Health Insurance, because it's the only one of the three with a deadline you don't set. HealthCare.gov lets you pick a Marketplace plan within 60 days before or after losing job-based coverage, and the help you get with the premium is priced off your income for the year. Solo Aging comes next: naming your people takes an afternoon and can't be done retroactively. Long-Term Care is last because it has no date attached at all.
I'm nowhere near needing care. Isn't the third book premature?
That's the argument for reading it now, not against it. The work in it is research: finding which agency your county runs, learning what an hour of home help costs where you live, writing down who has your keys. Research is the one thing you can't do from a hospital bed. Retiring early hands you more years to do it in, and almost nobody spends any of them on this.
I'm widowed or divorced. Which set is mine?
If you're under 65, this one, for the insurance book. The Solo Series: Widowed or Divorced swaps it for Social Security for Widows & Divorced Women, which covers survivor and ex-spouse benefits. If both apply, buy this set and add the Social Security book on its own.
I'm already on Medicare. Is the insurance book wasted?
Yes, and we'd rather say so than take the bigger sale. Health Insurance for the Solo Early Retiree is written for the years before 65 and hands off to Medicare at the end. If you're already enrolled, buy The Solo Series instead: the same two books without it. Worth knowing while you're here: Medicare doesn't pay for most long-term care either, which is the gap the third book is written about.
Is there a free guide that goes with these?
Two, both free on our site. A calculator that compares COBRA against a Marketplace plan year by year to Medicare, with the 2026 subsidy rules built in. And the Solo Ager's Document Kit, the fillable HIPAA and advance-directive templates from the back of Solo Aging, which we send by email. Neither one requires the books.
How fast does it arrive?
All three books are printed to order and posted together in one parcel. Free US shipping, and delivery runs about two weeks. There's no rush tier, because the printer sets that schedule and not us. We'd rather give you the real date than sell you a faster one we don't control.
What if it isn't right for me?
Each book is printed for you one copy at a time. If your parcel turns up damaged or misprinted, send a photo within 30 days and we ship a replacement free — you keep the flawed copy. Because every copy is made to order, we can't take a book back once it has shipped. Contact details are at the bottom of this page.
Your next chapter, organized
Get all three books together
Who signs, who makes the calls, and the coverage to 65.
The person who signs if you can't, the care somebody has to arrange, and the coverage you now buy yourself. Three paperbacks, one parcel, free US shipping. Start with the insurance book: it's the only one of the three with a deadline you don't set.
