72-Year-Old Unexpectedly Lost His Wife And Realized He's Not The Heir To Her $1.5 Million — Suze Orman Says Only Rely On Yourself

In an August episode of her podcast, financial expert Suze Orman shared a deeply personal and thought-provoking email from a listener named Peter, a 72-year-old retiree. Peter's situation highlights the importance of proactive financial planning and clear family communication, especially as we age.

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Peter had been married for 40 years when his wife suddenly passed away from pneumonia at the age of 69. Like many couples, they had their financial responsibilities divided — his wife managed their investments, while Peter focused on his career. This arrangement worked well until her unexpected death left Peter to navigate their finances alone. It was then that Peter discovered a shocking twist: his wife's $1.5 million inheritance from her father would not go to him but to their two sons, both in their forties.

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Peter reached out to Suze Orman for advice on how to handle this complex and emotional situation. He explained that he and his wife had always planned on using her inheritance to secure their retirement. But with her gone, the inheritance legally passed to their sons, leaving Peter in a precarious financial position. His only sources of income were Social Security and the interest from his investments, and he was concerned about whether he had enough money to live on.

Orman shared Peter's story with her listeners, beginning with a powerful question she had posed to her own loved ones earlier that morning: "What is something that you would be willing to give up your life for?" This question set the tone for the gravity of Peter's dilemma, as it became clear that his financial future was now at the mercy of his sons' decisions.

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Orman advised Peter to take a direct approach with his sons. She suggested asking them to pay off his $400,000 mortgage, noting, "If they did inherit $1.5 million, each could simply give him $200,000, and Peter would own the house outright." Alternatively, she recommended that his sons provide a monthly allowance, "Maybe two or three thousand dollars a month," to help Peter maintain his lifestyle without financial strain. If these options aren't feasible, Suze advised, "Cut your expenses and live within your means," by considering downsizing his home.

But unfortunately, Peter's follow-up email revealed that the situation had not gone as planned. Although his sons each inherited $750,000, they were reluctant to part with the money. One son, in particular, suggested that Peter invest more aggressively, despite Peter's preference for conservative investments like T-bills and high-yield savings accounts. "It's getting stressful for all three of us," Peter wrote, "but it's most stressful on me."

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Suze used Peter's story to emphasize the importance of having tough financial conversations with family members before they become necessary. "Have you had discussions with them about money, who it goes to, how it gets passed down?" she asked her listeners. 

Peter's situation is a reminder that assumptions about family support can lead to financial insecurity. As Suze put it, "You have to put yourself in a situation where you can take care of yourself financially… without asking anybody, including your children, for money." By taking these steps, Peter — and anyone else in a similar situation — can protect their financial future and maintain their independence.

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