When Andrew Winnett’s father passed away, his mother didn’t just lose her partner. She lost her financial security. She was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years, and suddenly she was facing a world that didn’t care about her grief. Andrew watched her modist investments get eaten alive by “silent” fees while the market stayed as volatile as ever. He even watched an advisor run around like a chicken with his head cut off during the 2008 crash. It was then that Andrew decided he’d never be involved in losing a client’s money. Ever.
Today, Retirement Renegade is built on that promise. We’re here for the “underdog retiree” who is tired of the cold, institutional approach of big banks. One of the biggest threats we see right now is the Widows Tax 2025: After a Spouse Dies. It’s a quiet penalty that can gut a retirement plan if you aren’t ready for it.
The trap of the single filer.
Most people think their taxes will go down when a spouse passes because there’s less income in the house. But the IRS has a different plan. In 2025, a married couple gets a standard deduction of $31,500. A single person? They only get $15,750. You lose half of your tax protection the moment your filing status changes.
And it gets worse. The tax brackets for single filers are much narrower. You hit the 22% bracket at just $48,476 of taxable income. A married couple doesn’t hit that same bracket until they pass $96,950. You could be living on less money but paying a much higher percentage of it to the government. It’s a systemic injustice that catches folks off guard. It’s why we believe “buy and hold” is too risky once you hit retirement. You don’t have time to wait for the market to recover if a tax hike and a market dip hit at the same time.
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A safe income strategy.
We don’t believe in gambling with your future. We use what we call a Multi-Dimensional Approach. We focus on hybrid contractual products that offer a No Market Risk Guarantee. If the market drops 20% or 30%, you don’t lose a single penny of your principal. When the market goes up, you get to share in that growth. It’s about peace of mind, which is the best ROI you can ever get.
Fees are another silent killer. Most advisors charge an AUM (Assets Under Management) fee. They take a piece of your pie every year, whether you make money or not. We have a No Advisor Fee Guarantee. We’re paid by the providers, not by your portfolio. This means more of your money stays with you to help cover things like higher Medicare premiums or the lost Social Security check that happens when a spouse dies. This is why many consider us a top-rated retirement specialist for widows who need someone in their corner.
The renegade difference.
We aren’t like the big firms. We’re independent. We have access to over 75 institutions and 1,200 different products. We don’t have to push a company line. We only care about what’s best for you. We start every relationship with a Relationship Sit-Down. We listen to your story. We want to know about your kids, your dreams, and what you’re afraid of.
Andrew’s mother had to go back to work for minimum wage because her plan failed her. We make it our mission to ensure that never happens to our clients. We look at the looming storm of tax hikes and Social Security changes and we build a plan that can weather it. We even look for ways to include free long-term care coverage so you’re protected no matter what life throws at you.
Guarantees over possibilities.
The financial industry loves to talk about what “might” happen. They show you charts of potential growth. We prefer to talk about guarantees. We want you to know exactly how much money is coming in every month, no matter what happens on Wall Street.
If you’re worried about the 2025 tax changes or how you’ll manage on your own, don’t wait. The traditional “buy and hold” model isn’t built for the reality of being a surviving spouse. You need a plan that’s as tough as you are. You need a safe money retirement strategy that puts your protection first.
Don’t run out of money before you run out of life. Retire with more than just your dignity. Join the renegades who are taking control of their financial future.
