The Widow's Penalty: Why Your Taxes Will Double When Your Spouse Dies

The "Widow's Penalty" is the most overlooked risk in retirement planning. When a spouse passes away, household income usually drops, but the surviving spouse is often pushed into a higher tax bracket as a "Single Filer." Andrew Winnett explains the 2025 math behind this penalty and provides specific strategies—including Roth conversions and life insurance—to protect your surviving spouse from a tax bomb.