Michael Abane

For Americans without children, retirement planning often shifts from legacy preservation toward spending, care planning, decision-makers, and personal priorities that fit their lives.
Traditional models focus on avoiding depletion and leaving assets. Child-free planning may support higher withdrawals when assets, liquidity, and goals properly align.
Estate planning can become more urgent without next-of-kin: ~20% had wills, and ~15% had long-term care insurance in one survey of adults.
Designating a guardian, conservator, beneficiaries, and caregiver funding can reduce uncertainty and help trusted people act if decisions become difficult later in life.
Tax strategy shifts toward lifetime use: Roth conversions, charitable deductions, and withdrawal timing can help align money with personal goals over legacy.

Child-Free Retirement Planning in the US

A current 2026 ranking highlights how individual states help move the US economy forward, with some contributing far more than others overall.
Several state economies are large enough to compare with major countries, underscoring how state-level performance shapes national economic strength in the US.
Economic activity metrics considered GDP change, fast-growing firms, and exports per capita, helping compare how strongly each state supports national output growth.
An analyst noted stronger economies can make financial success more attainable by supporting property purchases, debt repayment, and future savings for residents.
Innovation potential also mattered: high-tech jobs, R&D investment, and entrepreneurial activity signal which states may adapt efficiently to future challenges ahead nationwide.