Widows need to educate themselves as to their financial situation and not be afraid to ask questions.

Watch for the wolves: Financial advice for widows

All widows (widowers, too) should follow one guiding principle: Avoid major financial decisions during the first six to 12 months after a spouse’s death. You need to get some professional advice because unfortunately some people prey on widows.

Advisors Misunderstanding of Social Security is Hurting Widows

Advisors appear to lack sophistication in advising clients about taking Social Security benefits, leading to mistakes that fall hardest on aging widows. That is the conclusion of a new study just published. http://www.advisorone.com/2012/08/27/advisors-misunderstanding-of-social-security-hurti Questions should start when your husband is still alive and you are both planning for your retirement years. http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-08-24/finance/33336935_1_financial-advisers-social-security-cost-women Take control of your money and don't let anyone make those important decisions without your full understanding of how it will affect you for the rest of your life.  It's quite possible that a widow will live into her eighties and beyond.  Being short money to pay the bills is bad enough when you are young and can earn more, but there is nothing positive about being poor in your retirement years. http://www.forbes.com/sites/feeonlyplanner/2012/08/28/sudden-loss-financial-advice-for-widows/