Case Study - Rita

Financial Planning for Widowed Pre-Retirees: Finding Clarity After Loss

Retirement planning is never just about numbers—it’s about real lives, with real change. For widowed pre-retirees, navigating finances while managing grief is overwhelming. With personalized financial guidance, you can regain clarity, feel secure, and confidently shape the next chapter of your life.

Rita's Situation

Rita spent over 25 years as a healthcare administrator. She was planning to retire in 2 years with her husband—until he passed away unexpectedly last year. Now, everything feels uncertain. She’s smart, capable, and has always managed her household finances, but the emotional and financial weight of widowhood has her second-guessing every decision.

She needs to know: Can she stay in the house? How long will her money last? And when will she feel financially safe again?

Rita – Recently Widowed Pre-Retiree

  • 61 years old

  • Healthcare administrator

  • Widowed; two grown children

  • Inherited her husband’s IRA and pension survivor benefits

  • Owns her home (with a small mortgage remaining)

Financial Goals

  • Determine if she can retire in the next 2 years

  • Understand her survivor benefits and how to use them wisely

  • Decide whether to stay in her current home or downsize

  • Ensure her money lasts throughout retirement

  • Gain peace of mind and confidence in her financial decisions

How We Helped

  • Created a retirement income plan to determine if she could retire by 63. Modeled various retirement scenarios, including downsizing and relocating closer to her children.

  • Evaluated her survivor benefits, including pension income, Social Security options, and inherited IRA rules. Helped Rita optimize her withdrawals to minimize taxes and extend her financial security.

  • Developed a spending strategy that gave her flexibility to cover immediate needs without derailing long-term goals. Built a plan for a new car, home repairs, and future travel—all while maintaining a safety net.

  • Consolidated old accounts and simplified her financial life with a clear, organized investment plan based on her updated risk tolerance.

  • Rebuilt her estate plan with updated beneficiaries, powers of attorney, and a revised will.

  • Became her financial thinking partner, offering both compassion and clarity so she could confidently make decisions on her terms.

Financial Planning Services Provided

  • Design Your Retirement Income Plan

  • Coordinate Pension, IRA & Social Security Benefits

  • Organize and Simplify Investments

  • Make Smart Spending & Housing Decisions

  • Provide Estate & Legacy Planning Support

Sound Like You?

Why do widowed pre-retirees need personalized financial planning?

Widowhood changes everything—emotionally and financially. The plans you made as a couple need to be reevaluated based on your new reality.

1. Your Timeline, Your Plan

You can still retire—but now, it has to be on your terms. We help you understand what’s possible and map the steps to get there without guessing or worrying.

2. Financial Confidence Without the Guesswork

It’s not just “Can I retire?”—it’s “Am I going to be okay?” Our job is to replace that uncertainty with clarity, backed by real numbers and a grounded plan.

3. Simplify. Prioritize. Protect.

From consolidating accounts to updating your will, we help bring order to what feels like chaos—and protect what matters most going forward.

4. You're Strong. We Just Help You Stay That Way.

You don’t need fluff. You need facts, strategy, and a trusted advisor in your corner. We walk with you—not ahead of you.

Let’s Build a Plan That Brings Peace of Mind

At Longevity Wealth Strategies, we specialize in working with widowed women preparing for retirement. We take the time to understand your situation and give you a plan that feels personal—not cookie-cutter.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.