Summerlin Benefits Consulting Q&AAnswer
Nov 22, 2024 - 02:24 PM
When a spouse passes away, the surviving partner typically faces a higher tax burden. This is due to the change in filing status from "married-filing-jointly" to "single" or "head of household," which can push the surviving spouse into a higher tax bracket. Additionally, income that was once shared may now be taxed at a higher rate, especially as tax brackets change in 2026. Surviving spouses need to plan ahead for these shifts to avoid unexpected tax increases.
