Dear Followers,

Holidays are always difficult after the death of your person. The memories and the past come into focus over and over again. I read recently that “Where there is love, there is life”. You were loved, are loved, and will continue to be loved. As lonely as you may feel, you are not alone in your feelings and thoughts. Embrace your memories. My hope is that they will put a smile on your face and in your heart.

Sending love and hugs,

Carolyn

This Month’s Financial Tip

TIP: Review all of your assets and insurance proceeds prior to making any decisions on how best to use or invest your money. Approach carefully and with caution.

Insurance and Taxes – Insurance proceeds are not taxable. If the insurance proceeds are invested, then the growth can be taxed generally as long term capital gains if they are invested and held 1 year and 1 day and then withdrawn.

^{Ask questions if you don’t understand what you are reading. [email protected] or 941-841-6564 – I am here for you.}

Tax Clarity for Doris

Recently, Doris Thompson met me at a conference and followed up by email with a few questions. One of her questions involved the taxation of her life insurance proceeds. I was happy to inform her that life insurance death benefits are generally income-tax free to the beneficiary.

Her next question concerned her late husband John’s retirement accounts. Doris is 54 and may need to access these assets. Normally, withdrawals from retirement accounts before age 59½ are subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty, in addition to ordinary income taxes.

However, a surviving spouse has special options that can help avoid this penalty if structured correctly.

John held IRAs and a 401(k) plan. (Doris may roll the 401(k) into an IRA if she wishes.)

Because Doris is under age 59½, she should avoid an immediate spousal rollover. Instead, the safest option is to set up an inherited (beneficiary) IRA, titled like this:
“John Thompson, deceased (date of death), IRA FBO (For Benefit Of) Doris Thompson, Beneficiary”

This inherited IRA structure allows a surviving spouse to withdraw funds at any age without the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Income taxes will still apply to any withdrawals, but the penalty is avoided.

If Doris instead rolled the assets into her own IRA (a spousal rollover), she’d be treated as the account owner. That means she would be subject to the 10% penalty until she reaches age 59½.

Using the inherited IRA keeps her options open and avoids that penalty.

If you would like more clarity on insurance and taxes in your planning. Please call me 941-841-6564 or email me at [email protected]

You are not alone. Read this article that was in the Wall Street Journal on November 7, 2025. Unfortunately, this story is not unique.

Books Worth Reading

Reading can transport us into other places and lives. As a grieving person, we need to move ourselves into other places. A great book that does that very well is

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

This book helps us to imagine a life bigger and better than we could ever imagine. We all need that imagination in the journey of our grief.

If something you read today made you think of another friend or family member, share this newsletter with them

This Month’s Recipe

Most of you should realize by now that I love to cook and explore new recipes. Between cookbooks, magazine clippings, and printed recipes, my kitchen looks like a library of food possibilities. I am even part of America’s Test Kitchen for new recipes. My kitchen is my “happy place. I am even part of America’s Test Kitchen for new recipes. My kitchen is my “happy place.”

This recipe is a favorite and a great addition for the many holiday meals we may eat. It is also easy and healthy.

Broccoli- Apple Crunch Salad

Ingredients

3 tablespoons (tblsp) cider vinegar

1 ½ 2 teaspoons (tsp) honey

1 ½ tsp of dijon mustard

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ tsp salt

5 tblsp olive oil

5 cups broccoli florets-cut in 1 inch pieces

1 large shallot, chopped

1 medium honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced and halved crosswise

½ cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

2 tblsp sunflower seeds

Directions:

1. Whisk together the first 6 ingredients.

2. Add the broccoli and shallot to the dressing.

3. Refrigerate at least for 30 minutes and up to 3 days.

4. Just before serving add the apple, sunflower seeds, and cheddar cheese.

Enjoy the refreshing crunch. Serves 6-8.

Accurate Advisory Group and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Any discussion of tax matters contained herein (including attachments or related materials) is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law. Clients are encouraged to consult with their independent tax advisor, CPA, or attorney regarding their specific situation before making any financial, investment, or estate planning decisions.