Free Resource Library

Retirement resources, organized by topic

Hand-picked official sites, nonprofit help, and free tools for every part of retirement — money, healthcare, family, legal, home, and the numbers. Pick a topic to dive in.

Retirement Income & Accounts

IRS rules, RMDs, and moving money correctly

Account rules change as you age — and mistakes like a missed RMD or an accidental 60-day rollover window come with real tax penalties. Always go to the primary source on these.

IRS Retirement Plans

Authoritative source on 401(k), IRA, and pension contribution limits, tax treatment, and distribution rules.

Required Minimum Distributions (IRS)

When RMDs must start, how to calculate your annual amount, and the penalty for missing the deadline.

IRA Rollover Chart (IRS)

Official chart showing which retirement account types can roll into which — saves costly mistakes.

Are Social Security Benefits Taxable? (IRS)

IRS guidance on when and how much of your benefit is subject to federal income tax — depends on combined income.

Medicare & Drug Coverage

Enrollment windows, plan choices, and costs

Missing a Medicare enrollment window can mean permanent late-enrollment penalties. These resources walk you through your options, help you compare plans, and connect you with free unbiased counseling before you choose.

Medicare.gov

Official source for enrollment timelines, Parts A through D coverage basics, costs, appeals, and rights.

Medicare Plan Finder

Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans by monthly cost, coverage, and provider network for your zip code.

SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling

State-based counselors who give unbiased Medicare help at no charge — not selling anything, just helping you choose.

Help With Medicare Costs

Programs that lower premiums, deductibles, and drug costs for people with limited income — Extra Help, MSPs, and more.

Not sure which enrollment window you’re in? Our free Medicare Enrollment Calendar gives you your own dates from your birthday, and the penalty you avoid by hitting them.

Health Insurance Before 65

Bridging the gap if you retire early

Retiring before Medicare kicks in at 65 means buying your own coverage — often for several years. The ACA Marketplace is frequently more affordable than it looks once subsidies are factored in, especially at lower income levels in retirement.

HealthCare.gov

The ACA Marketplace; shop, compare, and enroll in individual and family plans if you retire before 65.

COBRA Continuation Coverage (DOL)

Federal law lets you keep employer coverage for up to 18 months after leaving a job. This DOL guide explains how.

ACA Subsidy Calculator (KFF)

Estimate your marketplace subsidy by household income, size, and state — from the nonpartisan KFF health research org.

Find a Marketplace Agent or Broker

Locate a licensed marketplace agent or broker in your area. Their help is free — paid by the insurer, not you.

Run your own numbers with our free COBRA-vs-Marketplace calculator — then our guide for solo early retirees breaks down every option in plain English.

Caregiving & Support

Resources for the people holding it all together

Whether you're planning ahead for yourself or stepping into a caregiving role for a parent, these resources offer local connections, benefit-eligibility checks, and practical guides for every stage of the journey.

Eldercare Locator (ACL)

Find local services for older adults anywhere in the US — run by the federal Administration for Community Living.

BenefitsCheckUp (NCOA)

Find federal, state, and local programs you may qualify for — from prescription assistance to utility help.

AARP Caregiving Hub

Guides, practical tools, and community support for family caregivers at every stage of the process.

Family Caregiver Alliance

Research-backed practical guides and a state-by-state resource locator for family caregivers.

When you or a family member can't be there in person, The End of Life Planner puts the contacts, documents, and medical details exactly where a caregiver will look for them.

Estate Planning & Legal

Documents every family needs, before they need them

You don't need a complex trust to be prepared. A will, health care directive, and power of attorney cover most families' most important situations — and advance directive forms are free in every state. One resource below (Trust & Will) is an affiliate link: if you buy a plan through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Advance Directives by State (CaringInfo)

Free, state-specific advance directive forms — living wills and health care proxies — from the National Hospice Foundation.

Five Wishes

A plain-language advance directive accepted in most states, with guided questions about your care and personal wishes.

NOLO Estate Planning Guides

Free, attorney-reviewed articles on wills, trusts, executors, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations.

Trust & Will

Attorney-built wills ($199) and living trusts ($499) completed online, state-specific. Code EXCLUSIVE10 takes 10% off. Best for straightforward estates — use NAELA for complex ones.

Find an Elder Law Attorney (NAELA)

Locate a vetted elder law attorney near you through the national professional association — right for complex estates.

Senior Discounts & Savings

The perks nobody tells you about

Retirement comes with real financial advantages — from lifetime park passes to pharmacy savings that often beat insurance. These are the ones worth knowing.

AARP Member Benefits

Discounts on travel, dining, insurance, and everyday expenses. Free to explore; membership is $16/yr for adults 50+.

GoodRx

Compare prescription prices at pharmacies near you — often significantly cheaper than your insurance copay.

America the Beautiful Senior Pass

$80 lifetime pass for adults 62+ to all US national parks and federal lands. Also available $20/year.

Senior Discounts Directory

Our free, filterable list of senior & retiree discounts by category — restaurants, retail, travel, pharmacy, and parks — with the minimum age and source shown for each.

Travel & Adventure

Go somewhere — you've earned it

Retirement is prime time to travel — with flexibility that working-age travelers don't have. These resources cater specifically to older adventurers, from educational trips abroad to accessible trails near home.

Road Scholar

Educational travel programs for adults 55+; thousands of domestic and international trips, from history tours to nature expeditions.

Amtrak Senior Discount

10% off most fares for travelers 65+. Book by phone or at a station to apply the discount.

InsureMyTrip — Travel Insurance

Compare travel insurance plans side by side; filter for pre-existing condition waivers, which matter more as you age.

AllTrails

Find hiking trails filtered by difficulty and accessibility — good for all fitness levels, anywhere in the US.

Staying Connected

Find your people and your purpose

Social connection is one of the biggest factors in healthy aging — and retirement can unexpectedly shrink your social world overnight. These resources help you rebuild it around what you actually care about.

Meetup

Find local groups organized around interests: hiking, books, crafts, language learning, board games, and more.

VolunteerMatch

Match your skills and schedule to local volunteer opportunities — great for structure and connection after work ends.

OASIS

National nonprofit offering classes, volunteer programs, and social events for adults 50+ in cities nationwide.

Nextdoor

Neighborhood social network for local recommendations, events, and connecting with people a short walk away.

Dating & New Friendships

It's not too late to meet someone

Whether you're looking for romance, a travel companion, or just new friends after a move or life change — there are apps and communities built specifically for this chapter of life.

OurTime

Dating site designed specifically for singles 50+; large user base and a straightforward interface.

SilverSingles

Personality-matched dating for adults 50+; simpler and less overwhelming than general-purpose apps.

Stitch

Social and companion community for adults 50+ — events, travel companions, and friendship, not just romance.

Bumble BFF

Bumble's friend-finding mode — not romantic. Works well for making new friends after a move or life change.

Free Calculators & Tools

Run the numbers before you commit

Good retirement decisions start with your own numbers — not a generic rule of thumb. These free tools let you model Social Security timing, compare Medicare plans, estimate ACA subsidy amounts, and project your income needs.

Health Insurance & ACA Subsidy Calculator

Our free tool: compare COBRA vs Marketplace cost year-by-year to Medicare, with 2026 subsidy and income-cliff detection. Runs in your browser.

Medicare Enrollment Dates Calculator

Our free tool: enter your birthday for your personal Medicare sign-up dates, first RMD year, and Social Security milestones — then download them to your calendar. Runs in your browser.