What Do Modern Widows Really Need from Financial Advisors?
Widowhood isn’t just a personal loss—it’s a financial turning point.
With the average age of widowhood at just 59, too many women face a financial and identity crisis during what should be their peak earning years. In this powerful episode of Kick It Open, host Shelby Nicholl sits down with Megan Kopka, CFP, RLP to discuss how the wealth management industry can—and must—do better in serving modern widows.
Megan shares her own experience of early widowhood, offering a deeply personal look at the emotional and financial challenges widows face. From navigating loss and financial decisions alone to finding support through organizations like the Modern Widows Club, this conversation sheds light on what widows truly need and how advisors can step up.
This episode explores:
✅ The financial and emotional realities of widowhood
✅ The economic impact of losing a spouse in midlife
✅ How peer communities provide critical support
✅ The role of grief literacy in financial advising
✅ Practical ways advisors can better serve widowed clients
Plus, we highlight key resources for widows, including the Modern Widows Club, Wings for Widows, and Savvy Ladies, which offer financial education and peer support.
Whether you’re a woman, a financial advisor, or simply someone with women in your life—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Resources mentioned during the episode:
· Kathi Balasek trains financial professionals in grief literacy and empathy. Learn more about Kathi, access course and more at: Grief Literacy and Communication Education for Financial Professionals (kathibalasek.com)
· Modern Widows Club is a national organization with local chapters all over the country. Sign up for their newsletter and learn more about the organization at: Home - Modern Widows Club.
· Wings for Widows – Provides coaching and financial education services especially for men and women who are widows. Learn more at: Financial Planning For Widows | Wings for Widows
· Savvy Ladies provides financial education to women. Learn more at: Free Financial Education & Advice | Free Financial Advisors (savvyladies.org)
Produced by Shelby Nicholl. Edited by Aaron Sherman. Graphic Design by John Gallagher.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: EV5ON7Y3CSESDSEU
