In partnership with
One Death, Higher Taxes
Here's the math most couples never see coming.
When one spouse passes, the survivor usually keeps most of the household income — but starts filing as a single taxpayer. Same IRA. Same required distributions. Roughly half the standard deduction, and tax brackets that compress to nearly twice the rate at the same income.
It's called the survivor's tax trap, and it's one of the most preventable problems in retirement — if you act while both spouses are alive and rates are still low.
Craig Wear, CFP®, has walked 3,000+ families with $1M+ in IRAs through exactly this planning. His new book, Roth Conversion Reset, lays out the year-by-year framework for converting at today's rates so the tax problem never lands on the person you love most.
The book is free. Full PDF, in your inbox in minutes.
In this issue:
✅ Bridge City Native Returns Home for Concert at the Jefferson
✅ BC Lady Cards Finish Strong at PNG Volleyball Tournament
✅ Vidor Native and Orangefield Grad Release Jazz Album
Orange County Local Events
Tuesday, August 18
Planning & Zoning Commission Special Call Meeting — 5 PM at City Council Chambers, Public Library Auditorium. More info →
Thursday, August 20
Third Thursdays at the Meadery — 5 PM at Hammered Honey Farms and Mead. Tasting flights and glass pours, open to the public. More info →
Sage Elmore — 6 PM at Tia Juanita's Fish Camp, Orange. Local singer-songwriter playing country and rock covers. More info →
Thursday Night Karaoke at Brick & Barley — 9 PM at Brick & Barley. DJ Lisa hosts all-request music and karaoke. 21+. More info →
Friday, August 21
Beats and Bingo — 6 PM at Bridge City Community Center. Bingo night benefiting OHS Class of 2027 project graduation. More info →
Classic Movie Nights: Ferris Bueller's Day Off — 7 PM at Jefferson Theatre. Doors at 6 PM. Tickets →
Saturday, August 22
Bully Know Workshop — 11:15 AM at 2318 Lutcher Drive, Orange. Free self-defense workshop for kids ages 6-11. More info →
The Final Flight Memorial Benefit — 4 PM at Stix. Memorial darts tournament. More info →
Community Harvest 2026 — 6:30 AM at Free State Cellars. Free hands-on grape harvest, no registration required. More info →
Art in Motion: Guided Mural Walking Tour — 8:30 AM at AMSET, Beaumont. Free guided tour through downtown Beaumont murals, registration required. More info →
Lorcana Saturday Night Tournaments (every Saturday) — 7 PM in Vidor. $10 entry. More info →
Sunday, August 23
Slow Down Sundays (every Sunday) — 2 PM at Lynnwood, Pine Forest. Gentle weekly gathering with journaling and coffee. More info →
Bridge City Native Returns Home for Concert at the Jefferson
Pianist and composer Bobby Orozco is coming home. The Bridge City native will perform at the Jefferson Theatre in Beaumont on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. for a special album release concert celebrating his newest project, "Bridge City Natives." He'll be joined by cellist Kathleen Odom, and artist Ashley Berryman will create a live painting during the performance. Tickets available at the Beaumont Events website. Read More
BC Lady Cards Finish Strong at PNG Volleyball Tournament
The Bridge City Lady Cardinals put together a solid showing at the PNG Tournament, finishing second in the Silver Bracket with a 5-4 record. A promising start to the season for the Cards. Read More
Vidor Native and Orangefield Grad Release Jazz Album
Saxophonist Dr. Justin Pierce (Vidor native, Vidor Walk of Fame inductee) and his wife Ashley (Orangefield HS grad) are releasing their debut full-length jazz album Sway this week. The 10-track record features selections from the Great American Songbook — "Moon River," "L-O-V-E," Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood" — with a distinctly Southeast Texas and Gulf Coast feel woven in. More than 20 years of musical partnership on record. Read More