Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger Planning After the Death of My Wife
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Feb 20, 2026 Gail, a recent widow from Maryland seeking financial clarity after her spouse's death. She discusses comparing her advisor's performance to Vanguard. They explore heavy single-stock concentration, how RMDs and other income affect taxes, and strategies like QCDs, Roth moves, and finding reliable support for future decisions.
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Widow's DIY Investment Test
- Gail called as a recent widow describing her investments and advisor relationship.
- She tested moving $10,000 to a Vanguard total stock fund and tracked its 10-year performance versus her advisor's returns.
Advisor Fees Without Full Planning
- Gail's advisor charged 1% and mostly selected plain-vanilla mutual funds without broader planning.
- Paying for an advisor who doesn't provide planning or guidance reduces perceived value.
Breakdown Of Gail's Accounts
- Gail revealed her accounts: about $1.27M IRA with heavy Apple and QQQ, plus other IRAs and a brokerage.
- She confirmed the large tech positions sat inside tax-advantaged retirement accounts.