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Mon, December 16, 2024

Three Ways to Help Create Financial Stability for a Widow


Published on 2024-12-16 06:01:14 - Kiplinger
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  • Loss of a spouse often leads to financial insecurity in retirement. These strategies can help ensure financial stability for the surviving spouse.

The article from Kiplinger discusses various strategies to ensure financial stability for a widow, focusing on preemptive planning and post-loss actions. It emphasizes the importance of having open conversations about finances before one spouse passes away, ensuring both partners understand their financial situation, including income sources, debts, and estate plans. Key recommendations include setting up life insurance policies, understanding Social Security survivor benefits, and possibly converting traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs for tax benefits. The article also advises on the necessity of updating legal documents like wills and powers of attorney, and suggests considering a trust to manage assets. Post-loss, it suggests widows should not rush into financial decisions, seek professional financial advice, and consider community resources or support groups for emotional and practical support. The overarching theme is proactive planning to mitigate financial hardship after the loss of a spouse.

Read the Full Kiplinger Article at:
[ https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/ways-to-help-create-financial-stability-for-a-widow ]
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