When a Smaller Household Can Mean a Bigger Tax Bill
Losing a spouse is among the most disorienting experiences a person can face. In the weeks and months that follow, surviving spouses must navigate estate paperwork, benefit decisions, and financial accounts — all while grieving. What many do not anticipate is a tax surprise waiting quietly on the horizon: the same retirement income, or even a reduced version of it, can end up being taxed more heavily once a person files alone.