A growing 25% of U.S. adults—childfree or permanently childless—face unique aging challenges without traditional family support. In the Positive Aging Community's October 29, 2025 webinar, moderated by Steve Gurney, experts Dr. Sara Zeff Geber, PhD, and Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®, unpacked financial, legal, and social strategies for thriving as "solo agers."

## Redefining Solo Aging: Empowerment Over Stigma

Geber, who coined "solo aging" 12 years ago, shared her wake-up call: Married but childless, she realized "there was going to be nobody left behind" in a crisis. Ditching the painful "elder orphans" label, she promotes "solo aging" as neutral and proactive. "It doesn't put a negative spin on things. It just works," she said. Surveys show childfree solo agers crave deeper connections, outliving networks due to longevity gains.

Geber urges building social communities early: "Build your network now—before health declines." Retirement or moves often disrupt ties, but villages, cohousing, and apps like Snug (for check-ins) help.

## Tailored Financial and Legal Safeguards

Zigmont, founder of Childfree Wealth (four years strong), exposed flaws in standard planning: It assumes kids. "It's bad advice," he warned. His new Childfree Trust fills the gap, serving as nationwide medical/financial power of attorney, executor, and trustee for $999/year.

Via "care docs," it captures wishes for activation in emergencies—like hospital calls triggering pet sitters or asset management. A survey of 600+ childfree adults? Less than 20% have wills. Zigmont partners with trust firms for scalability: "We're that person when friends can't be."

Hybrid approach: Lean on chosen family for daily support, pros for heavy lifts like long-term care. For legacies sans heirs, opt for "warm hand" giving (live philanthropy) over cold bequests.

## Actionable Takeaways from Attendees

Chat buzzed with queries: International travel? Trust handles it. No relatives? Free tools like freewill.com start basics. Pets? Line up immediate caregivers. Resources flowed—Aging Life Care (aginglifecare.org), Five Wishes directives, Area Agencies on Aging.

As one participant noted: "I'm more worried about community than money." Geber and Zigmont agree: Plan now for dignity.

For more, visit sarazeffgeber.com or childfreetrust.com. Solo aging? It's liberated control.