After 40 Years Together, He Left… And Took The IRA With Him

I was married for 40 years. I saved diligently. I did everything right. Then my husband left, and three weeks later, my $245,000 IRA was gone. Here is what one beneficiary form cost me, and how you can make sure it never happens to you.

What you will learn today:
• The three documents that determine who gets your IRA, even if you are divorced
• Why beneficiary designations override your will and your divorce decree
• The kitchen-table math that shows the real cost of an early Social Security claim
• How to set up account alerts so no one can change your beneficiary without your knowledge
• The seven steps to protect your retirement during a divorce

🎯 Checklist (7 Steps to Protect Your Retirement in Divorce):
1. Pull every beneficiary form for every account you own
2. Change your beneficiaries immediately if you are divorcing
3. Put beneficiary updates in your divorce decree
4. Set up account alerts on all retirement accounts
5. Consult a financial advisor, not just a divorce lawyer
6. Do not claim Social Security early unless absolutely necessary
7. Trust no one, verify everything

⭐️ Useful Resources:
• Social Security Administration: ssa.gov
• Medicare: medicare.gov
• IRS Retirement Information: irs.gov/retirement-plans
• National Association of Attorneys General: naag.org

⚠️ Educational content only. Not financial, legal, tax or medical advice. Rules change. Confirm details with official sources and a qualified professional before making decisions.