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A Widow’s Walk to Financial Confidence

Suzanne Norman 6/24/2026

 

A Widow’s Walk to Financial Confidence research paper explores the complex financial and emotional realities women face after the loss of a spouse.

 

Summary

This report examines the financial and emotional challenges widowed women face, particularly as many must suddenly take control of financial responsibilities after a spouse’s death. It highlights significant risks such as reduced income, longer life expectancy, limited financial literacy, and rising healthcare and long-term care costs, while also emphasizing the massive intergenerational wealth transfer to widows.

Topics include:

  • Demographics of widows and wealth-transfer trends
  • Financial challenges and income transition after widowhood
  • Financial literacy, planning, and preparedness
  • Role of support systems and professional advisors

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Meet the Project Director

Suzanne Norman

Suzanne Norman is an Executive coach, speaker, writer, and financial literacy educator who lives by the motto, “Scientia potentia est” — knowledge is power. And when you have self-knowledge — who you are and what you want — you are much more likely to get it.

Suzanne spent three decades as a consultant and leader in the investment management industry working both with institutions and retail investors. In addition to learning many best practices about money, she also learned
that true financial wellness is a combination of mental health, physical health, and fiscal health.

Seeing an opportunity to combine her years of investment experience with her coaching, she founded The Whealthy Woman. Her programs cover topics ranging from retirement planning, finding purpose, networking, mental fitness, negotiation skills, financial communication for couples, emotional intelligence, emotion, money emotions, executive presence, public speaking. Building confidence and competence in these areas is an important first step towards financial empowerment.

In addition to her coaching and consulting business, her financial education work includes her role as a Fellow with The Retirement Institute by LIMRA, a faculty member of the Redwoods Initiative, and as Co-Chair for CFA
Society Boston’s Financial Literacy Initiative.

She holds a BA in Psychology and is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Certified Positive Intelligence Coach®, and is Certified in EQ-I 2.0 EQ 360 (Emotional Intelligence). She also holds a Certificate in Women in Leadership and is a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®).

Fellow, LIMRA Retirement Income Institute​ and Founder, The Whealthy Woman


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