Widow Financial Planning – The Simply Retirement Podcast

Do I Still Need Life Insurance in Retirement? (Ep. 95)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | March 11, 2026

Many women enter retirement assuming life insurance is no longer necessary, only to discover that the real issue is not coverage, but access to cash when it matters most.

In this episode, I walk through how the purpose of life insurance changes as you approach and enter retirement. I explain why the real question is not whether you should keep a policy, but what risks still exist in your plan. I share practical examples involving pensions, Social Security, mortgages, estate taxes, and the desire not to burden your children. I also outline how to evaluate existing policies and determine whether term or permanent coverage fits your situation.

Key points:

How life insurance shifts from income replacement during working years to liquidity planning in retirement
Why retirement accounts and investment assets may create tax or timing challenges at death
The risks of losing pension or Social Security income for a surviving spouse
Why adding a child as a joint owner on accounts is rarely the right solution
How to determine the right type and amount of coverage based on risk, not product
And more!

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7 Questions Every Woman Should Ask Before Hiring a Financial Advisor (Ep. 94)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | March 4, 2026

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement, especially if you’re navigating it on your own.

Yet many women don’t realize how much clarity and confidence can come from simply asking the right questions before committing to a long-term relationship.

In this episode, I walk through seven essential questions every woman should consider before hiring or changing a financial advisor. We discuss why so many women change advisors after losing a spouse, how to evaluate an advisor’s process, and what to listen for when recommendations are presented. I also explain why retirement income planning, Social Security strategy, and tax coordination require a different level of focus than simply saving for retirement, and how to think about value beyond just the advisory fee.

Key Takeaways:

Why the commonly cited statistic about women changing advisors highlights the need for better conversations
The importance of understanding an advisor’s process before agreeing to work together
How to evaluate whether recommendations truly align with your goals, values, and concerns
Why retirement income planning, Social Security, and tax strategy require specialized focus
How to assess value beyond fees, including adaptability, communication, and long-term partnership
And more!