For most Americans, Social Security is the foundation of retirement income. It provides a dependable monthly benefit that helps cover the essential expenses of everyday life.

For a married couple, that foundation is built on two Social Security benefits. But when one spouse dies, one of those benefits goes away. Generally, the survivor continues with the higher benefit, while the other benefit ends.

The household may have one less person, but many of the expenses of maintaining a home and a comfortable lifestyle remain.

That makes planning for the surviving spouse an important part of retirement planning — not because we expect the worst, but because taking care of each other shouldn't end when one of us is gone.

A thoughtful retirement plan considers how that lost income might be replaced, so the surviving spouse can continue living with financial independence, dignity, and as little disruption as possible.