Widowed Americans feel confident yet crave a financial sounding board

For many people among America's widowed population, being financially confident and financially lonely may actually go hand in hand, according to survey data from Ameriprise Financial.

While roughly nine in 10 widowed adults (89%) say they feel confident managing money on their own, 58% say they wish they had someone to talk through financial decisions with, the Minneapolis-based firm found.

The figures come from Ameriprise's "Flying Solo: Navigating Financial Autonomy" study, which surveyed more than 3,000 single, divorced and widowed adults, with widowed respondents making up 15% of the sample. The research paints a picture of a population that has largely adapted to independent financial life but continues to feel the absence of a trusted partner in decision-making.

"After the loss of a spouse, people often find themselves making important financial decisions without the person they relied on most," said Deana Healy, vice president of financial planning and advice at Ameriprise.

"Our research shows that while many widowed adults are adapting to their new reality with resilience, they're thinking carefully about how to prepare for future healthcare needs, protect their legacy and remain financially self-sufficient."

Read more: More than half of widowed women staggered by financial woes

For most respondents, going it alone on their finances isn't a temporary thing. More than four-fifths (84%) expect to remain financially independent long-term, and 88% said they would keep their finances separate even if they entered a new relationship.

That independence comes with real anxiety. Eighty-five percent reported at least one fear tied to aging alone, including thoughts of becoming a burden to loved ones (53%), affording long-term care (45%) and running out of savings (40%). Even so, 44% said not being a financial burden on family is among the achievements they're most proud of.

Some bereaved Americans may be more vulnerable than others. A Western & Southern Financial Group study released this week found that surviving-spouse households have a median income of just $40,800, versus $111,000 for married couples in the same age bracket – a 63% gap driven largely by the loss of a higher-earning spouse's income and a built-in 40% reduction in Social Security survivor benefits.

The Ameriprise study also found roughly four in 10 widowed adults lack a current financial power of attorney (44%), a formal will (43%) or a healthcare directive (39%). Ameriprise found that adults who did have these documents in place, along with named beneficiaries, reported meaningfully higher financial confidence than those without them.

Ameriprise's data suggests professional guidance is closely tied to the confidence widowed adults do report. Nearly two-thirds of widowed respondents (62%) work with a financial advisor, and among that group, 74% said having a financial plan for short- and long-term goals makes them feel more secure about the future. Staying engaged in household finances before a spouse's death, and having estate documents already in place, were also linked to higher post-loss confidence.

Read more: How financial advisors can guide widowed clients through grief

"Life doesn't always unfold as expected, but there are steps people can take to be better prepared for whatever comes next," Healy said. "Whether you're managing finances on your own or as part of a couple, staying engaged in financial decisions, planning ahead and seeking trusted guidance from an advisor can help people preserve their independence and navigate change with greater confidence."