Widowhood Planning – The Simply Retirement Podcast

Helping Women Make Better Retirement Decisions After Life Changes (Ep. 114)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | July 22, 2026

Retirement decisions often happen during life’s most emotional moments. When you’re grieving, retiring, or suddenly making financial choices on your own, how do you know you’re asking the right questions or talking to the right people?

In this episode, I share a story from a recent anniversary trip that reminded me why retirement planning is about much more than investments.

Through conversations with women facing divorce, widowhood, and retirement, I explain how decisions around Social Security, beneficiary designations, retirement accounts, taxes, and financial guidance are often connected in ways people don’t realize. We also talk about why every financial advisor approaches retirement differently, why asking the right questions matters, and how finding guidance that fits your situation can influence retirement for years to come.

Key takeaways:

Why retirement decisions made after losing a spouse deserve thoughtful guidance before taking action
How Social Security timing can affect lifetime retirement income and future financial flexibility
Why beneficiary designations and retirement accounts often create unexpected challenges for widows
How communication between financial and tax professionals can improve retirement decisions
Questions women should ask before choosing retirement guidance during major life transitions
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake:

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Q&A: Understanding Differences between Social Security Spousal vs. Survivor Benefits (Ep. 89)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | January 28, 2026

Social Security decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to understand spousal and survivor benefits.

What benefits are you entitled to based on your spouse’s record? When should you claim them?

In this Q&A episode, I address two common Social Security questions that women face. I walk through the step-by-step process for determining spousal benefits for married couples and explore the strategic decisions widows face when choosing between their own retirement benefit and survivor benefits. I also share practical guidance for a recent widow navigating cash flow challenges, work decisions, and benefit timing in the early months after loss.

Key points:

The six-step process to determine spousal benefit eligibility and calculate the maximum benefit amount
How survivor benefits differ from spousal benefits and why this distinction matters for your strategy
Why starting one benefit early while delaying another can maximize lifetime Social Security income
Cash flow considerations when facing the decision to return to work while receiving benefits
The importance of sequencing decisions rather than rushing to solve everything at once
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake:

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