When you’re gone, your spouse’s income will take a major hit–one that can be worsened significantly, if you make the wrong decision about when to claim.
Roth individual retirement accounts allow you to pay income tax on your retirement savings upfront, so you won't be stuck with a tax bill in retirement when you can least afford to pay it.
The federal estate tax exemption and gift exemption is presently $12.06 million. A married couple can transfer $24.12 million to their children or loved ones free of tax with proper planning. The exemption is tied to inflation, so it will continue to rise.
