As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back at the myLifeSite blog posts that resonated with our readers this year, measured by views. These are the stories, guides, and insights you clicked on, shared, and kept coming back to when you needed insight, clarity, or a fresh perspective.
Covering a wide range of topics like retirement planning, senior living costs, and long-term care, let’s dive into the myLifeSite blog posts that defined the year and earned a place at the top of your reading list!
There is often a striking financial divide among the so-called “Peak 65” Baby Boomers, the largest group in history of Americans reaching age 65. While this generation collectively holds an enormous share of the nation’s wealth, many individuals within this group still lack sufficient retirement savings for a secure future.
Although Baby Boomers overall benefited from favorable economic conditions over their lifetimes that helped some amass substantial assets, a large portion of the Peak 65 cohort have limited savings (or even none at all), with median retirement assets far below commonly recommended levels and significant disparities based on gender, race, and education. Indeed, many retirees from this generation must rely heavily on Social Security or modest pensions.
This post discusses the implications such contrasting financial realities have on senior living decisions. It also underscores the broader impact on our society and underscores that more affordable and innovative solutions are needed within the senior living and care industry.
While finding love later in life can be deeply rewarding, there are important legal, financial, and emotional factors to weigh. This blog post discusses the importance of considering the impact of marriage on issues like estate planning, retirement benefits, Social Security, taxes, and healthcare decisions, noting that combining households may affect inheritances, eligibility for certain benefits, and long-term care planning.
Beyond finances, the post also highlights the importance of clear communication with family members and thoughtful discussions about expectations, living arrangements, and blended family dynamics. With these key considerations in mind, older adults can make more informed, confident choices about marriage that align with both their hearts and their practical needs.
For many residents of continuing care retirement communities (also known as CCRCs or life plan communities), a portion of the entry fee (and in some cases, a position of the monthly service fee) may be tax deductible. This is because such fees may be treated as a pre-paid medical expense under IRS rules, even if the CCRC resident is currently living independently and not using healthcare services.
The type of CCRC residency contract (e.g., Type A [lifecare], Type B [modified], or Type C [fee-for-service]) influences the extent of the deductible portion as only the non-refundable portion of the entry fee qualifies.
To qualify for this tax benefit, a CCRC resident must itemize their deductions rather than take the standard deduction. Additionally, the tax-deductible amount varies by community and contract type, so consulting an experienced tax professional and reviewing IRS Publication 502 are important.
Deciding when to join a wait list for a CCRC or other type of retirement community depends largely on individual needs and goals, but being proactive is generally better than waiting until a crisis. Planning ahead — especially for popular CCRCs, assisted living facilities, or memory care communities — can help ensure access to your top choice, particularly since many desirable communities have limited availability and require deposits to hold a spot.
This post breaks down the wait list “strategies” for various types of retirement communities, describes how wait lists operate (including open-ended lists and so-called “strike rule” lists), and offers practical steps for before and after joining a list, such as touring the various options and taking advantage of any perks offered to prospective residents.
And the most popular senior living blog post on myLifeSite for 2025 was…
55+ active adult communities are age-qualified residential neighborhoods designed for a low-maintenance, retirement-friendly lifestyle. This post outlines key advantages and possible drawbacks to consider when evaluating them as a senior living option.
On the plus side, active adult communities often eliminate exterior home upkeep through HOA-managed services while also fostering social opportunities with peers, providing quiet living environments, and offering a range of amenities like fitness centers and social events that support an active lifestyle. But there are potential downsides as well. For instance, 55+ communities tend to lack age diversity, place restrictions on use by younger family members, and do not include on-site healthcare or assisted living services, meaning residents must arrange for external care if needed.
Lessons, insights, and looking to the future
The topics that drew the most interest in 2025 reflect our readers’ shared desire for clarity, confidence, and thoughtful planning for the years ahead. From understanding housing options and financial considerations to navigating major life decisions, these most-read senior living blog posts highlight the questions many older adults and their families are actively exploring.
As always, we are grateful to our readers for engaging with myLifeSite as a trusted resource. In the year ahead, we look forward to continuing to provide relevant insights and practical guidance to help you make informed choices about retirement living and care.
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