Most Americans today worry about having enough retirement savings to continue living comfortably. This concern is understandable; with uncertainty abound, it is natural to consider your spouse, family, and loved ones’ well being after you die. Even if you have a stable job and income, it’s critical to protect it and ensure that you plan correctly.

As a husband, a common theme is recognizing that your life expectancy simply isn’t as long as your spouse’s. In these cases, setting up your assets to continue to provide income is one portion of a complete retirement plan. Similarly, if you and your spouse are planning to rely on both Social Security streams, it’s important to consider what could happen should one of those sources of income stop.

The bottom line is: no one likes to think about these eventualities. But with an active step and better preparation, you can help protect the standard of living for the ones you care about. If you’re married, talk to your spouse about organizing his or her assets so your guaranteed income is mutually protected. You worked hard for the money—now make sure it lasts.