6 Expenses That Can Suddenly Cost More After One Spouse Dies

When one spouse dies, household income can drop much faster than household expenses. Housing, taxes, transportation, Medicare costs, and paid help may take a larger bite from the survivor’s budget. Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Losing a spouse can transform a household budget in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. Some expenses disappear, but the mortgage, property taxes, utilities, insurance, and many other bills may barely change even as household income drops substantially. Consider a retired couple receiving $3,000 and $1,800 per month from Social Security. Their household has $4,800 coming in before one spouse dies, but the survivor generally doesn’t continue receiving both checks. If the survivor ultimately qualifies for the higher $3,000 amount, Social Security income alone has dropped by $1,800 a month while the mortgage, property taxes, utilities, and many other bills may barely move.

The Social Security Administration explains that someone receiving their own retirement or disability benefit may receive a higher survivor benefit when eligible, but they don’t receive both amounts added together. That income shift can make these six expenses that can increase after a spouse dies feel considerably more expensive to the person left managing them.