Hi Rick, thanks as always for your analysis. I am one of the younger widows - my husband died 8 years ago when I was 59. After inheriting his retirement assets, I realized the tax impact of traditional IRAs, and I've been slowly converting a portion to a Roth...and now trying to stay below IRMAA triggers too (darn that single filing bracket). My plan is for Roth assets to grow for decades as an inheritance for my 3 kids. However, one of my adult children has had some health issues that may require some ongoing support for a few years. It is helpful to consider that I can tap a bit of my Roth qualified assets as a safety valve.
Hi, as a widow I struggle with this topic as well with 3 unmarried young adult children (late 20s/early 30s) in different cities, with various job histories/prospects and with diverse administrative skills/interest. When my husband died 8 years ago at 62, it was impossible for them to even consider next steps were I to pass away. There is a fine line to let them know there will be substantial assets, and that there are also multiple steps to manage an estate transition smoothly.
I've completed estate planning with all relevant documents in place and location of consolidated accounts at Vanguard. I update an ongoing letter of instructions (9 pages replete with humor - I hope- and an appeal to keep saving for decades ahead). And still so many details to consider - for example, I took an extension to file my tax forms in October (paid in April). With a recent trip out of town I realized they would have no clue that this form still needed to be filed. It's in my head. Another topic for the letter...
Comments
Hi Rick, thanks as always for your analysis. I am one of the younger widows - my husband died 8 years ago when I was 59. After inheriting his retirement assets, I realized the tax impact of traditional IRAs, and I've been slowly converting a portion to a Roth...and now trying to stay below IRMAA triggers too (darn that single filing bracket). My plan is for Roth assets to grow for decades as an inheritance for my 3 kids. However, one of my adult children has had some health issues that may require some ongoing support for a few years. It is helpful to consider that I can tap a bit of my Roth qualified assets as a safety valve.
Post: Traditional or Roth
Link to comment from August 30, 2026
Hi, as a widow I struggle with this topic as well with 3 unmarried young adult children (late 20s/early 30s) in different cities, with various job histories/prospects and with diverse administrative skills/interest. When my husband died 8 years ago at 62, it was impossible for them to even consider next steps were I to pass away. There is a fine line to let them know there will be substantial assets, and that there are also multiple steps to manage an estate transition smoothly. I've completed estate planning with all relevant documents in place and location of consolidated accounts at Vanguard. I update an ongoing letter of instructions (9 pages replete with humor - I hope- and an appeal to keep saving for decades ahead). And still so many details to consider - for example, I took an extension to file my tax forms in October (paid in April). With a recent trip out of town I realized they would have no clue that this form still needed to be filed. It's in my head. Another topic for the letter...
Post: Time to share our financial info with children?
Link to comment from June 7, 2026