Surviving Spouse Planning
Compassionate Guidance During One of Life’s Most Difficult Transitions
Losing a spouse can be one of the most painful and disorienting experiences a person can face. Along with the emotional weight of grief, there are often financial questions and responsibilities that surface—sometimes all at once. For many surviving spouses, especially those who were not deeply involved in household finances, this can feel overwhelming.
At Greenbush Financial Group, we understand that this is not a time for pressure or rushed decisions. It is a time for support, clarity, and patience. Our role is to walk alongside you, helping you understand what needs attention now, what can wait, and how to move forward at a pace that feels right.
You Are Not Expected to Do Everything at Once
When a spouse passes away, there are a number of financial, legal, and administrative items that eventually need to be addressed. While this list can seem long, it is important to know that most of these items are not urgent.
In fact, we frequently counsel surviving spouses to avoid making any major financial decisions for at least 12 months following the loss of a spouse whenever possible. This includes decisions around investments, selling a home, relocating, or making large changes to long-term plans.
Grief affects clarity, energy, and decision-making. Giving yourself time is not only okay—it is often the healthiest approach.
A Practical Resource: Our Surviving Spouse Checklist
Because there are important steps that eventually need to be taken, we created a structured and thoughtful resource to help guide surviving spouses through this process.
You can access our Surviving Spouse Financial Checklist here:
https://www.greenbushfinancial.com/all-blogs/financial-checklist-for-surviving-spouses
This checklist is designed to:
Organize tasks in a manageable way
Separate what needs attention now from what can wait
Reduce uncertainty during an already difficult time
You do not need to complete everything at once—and you do not need to do it alone.
Common Areas Where Guidance Is Helpful
Every situation is different, but surviving spouse planning often involves gently working through areas such as:
Understanding income changes after the loss of a spouse
Reviewing Social Security survivor benefits
Evaluating pension or retirement account options
Updating account ownership and beneficiaries
Coordinating with estate attorneys and accountants
Reassessing cash flow and monthly expenses
Creating a plan for the future—when you are ready
Our role is to help you understand your options, answer questions as they arise, and provide reassurance that you are making thoughtful, informed decisions over time.
Especially Important for the Non-Financial Spouse
For spouses who were not primarily responsible for financial decisions, this transition can feel particularly daunting. It is common to worry about “getting something wrong” or missing an important step.
Please know this: you are not expected to be an expert.
As planners, we:
Translate complex financial topics into plain language
Help prioritize what truly matters
Act as a steady point of contact
Coordinate with other professionals on your behalf
You don’t need to suddenly become financially fluent—you just need someone you trust to help guide the process.
Our Philosophy: Guidance, Not Pressure
At Greenbush Financial Group, surviving spouse planning is not about pushing decisions. It is about listening, educating, and supporting.
We believe:
There is no “right timeline” for grief
Most financial decisions can wait
Confidence comes from understanding, not urgency
You deserve space to heal before making big changes
We are here to help you regain a sense of stability—one step at a time.
Our Surviving Spouse Planning Articles
“After tragically losing my fiancé just weeks before our wedding, I inherited some of his union benefits. I have sought financial guidance from expensive attorneys and high-priced tax advisors for the past year, but none have been helpful. =Yesterday, I came across a video on YouTube by Michael Ruger from Greenbush Financial Group. He shared some excellent advice, and I had a few additional questions. I decided to send him an email, not expecting a response. To my surprise, Mr. Ruger personally replied within the hour, providing all the information I needed. After a year of consulting costly advisors and attorneys, Mr. Ruger was able to resolve my issue immediately—at no cost to me. He saved me from a significant tax burden and renewed my faith in humanity. Thank you, Michael Ruger and Greenbush Financial Group! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”
This endorsement provided for Greenbush Financial Group, LLC on Google Review was made by a non-client, and it was a non-paid review. This non-client was solicited by Greenbush Financial Group, LLC to provide the endorsement.
Contact Us . . . .
All of our services start with a complimentary consult. No high pressure sales tactics. We are financial planners, not salesmen.
About Our Firm: Greenbush Financial Group is an independent registered investment advisory firm based in Albany, New York, that provides four main services to clients: fee-based financial planning services, investment management, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and retirement planning services. The firm serves clients locally in the Albany region and virtually across the United States.
