Which tax assumptions matter most when comparing options for financial decisions after a spouse dies?

Within the broader financial plan, major home, investment, or annuity decisions can often wait until the survivor has a clear budget and understands which accounts have tax rules or deadlines. Work from after tax and after fee numbers when comparing options because headline returns or payments can hide the real tradeoff. As part of the financial analysis, confirm recurring income, survivor benefits, insurance proceeds, debts, taxes, account ownership, and at least several months of accessible expenses.