When most people imagine retirement, they picture freedom, calm mornings, and finally having time to breathe. But for many South Africans, the first year of retirement feels very different.

For many families, there’s one person who takes the lead on managing the finances - paying the bills, handling investments, dealing with insurance, and making the big financial decisions. But here’s the truth most couples avoid talking about: one day, one of you will be left to handle it all alone.