Retirement Articles

Investors who take steps now can shield themselves from the coming challenges thrust upon retirees.

Are you a portfolio hoarder, hanging on to poor performers and investments that no longer match your objectives? It's time to purge those investments and put that money to use to match today’s needs.

For Canadian RRSP accounts, washing same-day trades and using money market funds to bridge the gap over a multi-day trading period saves investors the exchange fee and will help their bottom line while rebalancing securities. Read on to find out how to wash your trade.

In today’s near-zero percent interest rate environment the old ways of investing for retirement no longer apply. Learn the sober reality of the fundamental changes we all need to make to ensure we don’t run out of money during retirement.

Sometimes, landing free money is as easy as asking. Find out how to get the most out of your 401(k) retirement plan.

Your reasons for investing are bound to change as you go through the ups and downs of life. Setting goals is the first step in determining which investment vehicles are right for you.

In the past few years reverse mortgages have been heavily marketed as the way to become debt, and worry, free. For some seniors a reverse mortgage makes sense, for other though this dream product can quickly become a nightmare.

The trouble with gold is that even as stocks are going up and the gold price is hurting, investors and central banks are loading up on gold and silver like never before. There’s a disconnect here and one of these sides is right and one is wrong.

Although the increasing accessibility of independent contracting has created job opportunities, it is important to remember that this method of working also has considerable disadvantages in comparison with traditional employment.

It's high time investors heed the yellow caution flags waving in front of their margin accounts. Much like the NASCAR driver who pumps his brakes to avoid disaster when he sees the caution flag, it's time for us to slow down.

If bank rates follow the pattern that yields in the bond market have already begun to set, CD rates may be the first deposit rates to benefit from rising interest rates.

Pension maximization can be an effective solution to the single versus joint life payout dilemma that many retirees face. But, there are several factors, such as tax and investment matters, that will decide if this strategy is right for you.

Many retirees work during retirement, some by choice following a passion and others by necessity to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. Increasingly it’s the latter group that is growing faster. Preparing now, even if you are retired, by making the right investments and saving more than spending can make the difference between a stress-free retirement and one filled with fear and doubt.

This plan has become one of the most popular retirement options. Find out why.

While the biggest factor in deciding when to retire is whether you still need or want to work, there are many other variables to consider to ensure a comfortable and secure life after work.

Fees associated with many mutual funds looks small. Some are barely over 1% or even lower. But over time those fees erode the overall value of your portfolio. And even in the near term, as in the example used in this article, you could end up paying nearly 20% of your gains just for the privilege of holding a fund.

It seems many investors these days, particularly seniors, either go it alone with no outside guidance or they completely abdicate responsibility to a financial advisor who may or may not have their best interests in mind. In this article we’ve tapped Jeff White, founder and president of American Financial Group, to show us how to get the most from using a financial advisor while keeping our independence.

Here are some tips for retirement goals, general investing rules and what to focus on while saving.

Hyperinflation can destroy your life savings in a matter of months or less. We’ve seen again and again throughout history…Germany in the 1920s, Hungary in the 1940s, Yugoslavia in the 1990s and Zimbabwe just a few short years ago. Hardest hit are seniors who generally don’t have many employment options for boosting their income.

Use these three tips to help put your financial situation into perspective. It turns out, organizing your finances isn't nearly as hard as you thought.

Unless you are a government employee, you’ve likely never heard of the Federal Employees Retirement System, but if you work in the public sector or plan to in the near future, FERS is an acronym you will soon know well.

Even though Dennis Miller spent well over three decades writing books and teaching the subject of negotiations, some of the best lessons he learned on the subject came from luck.

Learn about the conspicuously disclosed fees that lurk within your 401(k) investments.

These certifications can lead to a promising career, but is estate planning for you?

There is money to be made in mutual funds, but investors fall into several pitfalls that keep them from maximizing their profits. Read these tips to take the uncertainty out of investing in mutual funds and find out if mutual funds are a good fit for your portfolio.

For many cash strapped seniors an annuity sounds like the perfect solution. And it can be if you think you’ll outlive your mortality date. The only trouble is that the insurance companies offering annuities have perfected estimating your mortality date based on factors like gender, birth year, where you live, where you were born, the age your parents died, and your health (or unhealthy) habits.

Being a landlord sounds like the path to riches: you buy some property, rent it out and watch the checks come in every month. The reality is that it’s a young man’s game. There’s just too much hassle, full time commitment, and risk associated with rental properties to be worthwhile for most retirees.

In this time of fiscal uncertainty, there are many financial decisions that can make or break you during your formative years.

The scale of the pension crisis in the U.S. cannot be denied, and there's a growing movement that supports the mandatory pension system that's been created in Australia and other parts of the world. But can the millions of working poor in America afford such a system?

Learn the key investment and savings tips you need to ensure your retirement savings last as long as you do.

Most people, depending on which side of retirement they’re on, feel they either won’t ever be able to retire or stay retired once they are. Many of us watched our parent’s generation put their retirement savings into CDs paying 6%+ and just living off the interest.

A second career can provide opportunities whether you are worried about outliving your retirement savings, or you want to stay productive and do something meaningful later in life.

If you establish these money-saving habits and patiently allow your wealth to build, you will be taking some huge steps forward in making your financial future more secure.

Learn more about this popular defined-contribution retirement plan that many business owners, proprietors, and self-employed people can benefit from.

One type of security pensions tend to invest in is sovereign debt, or debt issued by a government.

Annuities are complicated products that require some basic homework to be done before requesting quotes. Retirees will want to think about how they envisage their lifestyle and even their potential mortality to come up with an annuity product that’s right for them, or not even buy one at all.

CDs may look safe and attractive but considering most pay a rate that is less than the rate of inflation seniors today risk actually losing money with CDs. We need to be our own money managers now and do the research that’s required. Much of that research is already done and can be purchased through various newsletters.

Learn why this one particular REIT is a better investment than holding physical property in your retirement portfolio.

Leaving the workforce isn't always an easy decision. Are you ready to take the leap?

Learn the ways in which inflation nibbles away at your retirement income, especially in light of the President’s proposal for Chained CPI adjustments to Social Security.

Generation X and Generation Y still have many lessons to learn from their elders, including how to make the most of retirement in the 21st century. Find out what retirement trends baby boomers are setting for younger generations.

Our retirement goals have not changed. We still want enough money to not have to worry about it. How we go about getting there, however, has been changed dramatically.

This year, find out how to stretch your tax refund further to strengthen your future.

ETFs can be a good alternative to traditional retirement fund options because of their low cost, superior performance and liquidity.

Staggering retirement can have both financial and emotional benefits for married couples.

Break through the stereotypes and find out how to manage your life to meet your needs.

Before incurring additional risks in your retirement portfolio, be sure to understand the alternatives and the consequences of your strategy.

Banking giant HSBC recently unveiled the results of an international research project, which revealed that many U.S. citizens face a significant decline in their standard of living during the final seven years of retirement.

Researchers have proven that the 4 % rule, which stated that retirees can withdraw 4% of the value of a portfolio each year without depleting the principal for 30 years, is not a realistic withdrawal method for retirees.

Blood, sweat and tears should belong in the gym, but your money deserves some training time too.

You don't need a degree to understand your money, begin saving and pay down debt.

Learn the history, rules and risks of investing in IPO exchange-traded funds.

Maintain records of your pension benefits or risk losing them.

Learn some sensible strategies for making your hard-earned savings last for as long as you need them.

It's never too early to save for the future - learn how your children can get started.

Learn how the "sandwich generation" can save for retirement while taking care of their kids and parents.

Most Americans are saving only about 4% for retirement, which could mean that many U.S. citizens will never retire.

Emerging market ETFs are typically seen as riskier investments, but some of them may be able to strengthen your retirement accounts.

If you are someone who is closer to the end of your working career, such a large amount may be almost unmanageable.

Now is the time to kick savings into high gear. Find out how.

Living comfortably can be easy if you follow a simple plan.

People who are planning poorly for retirement are simply deciding to work longer - often out of neccessity. Is this a smart idea?

Sometimes the elderly lose their cognitive skills, that's when it may be time for their children to step in and assist with retirement planning.

From staying in the workforce longer to finding a part-time job after retirement, there are many ways that retirees postpone retiring completely.

The rise in these funds' popularity has contributed to misinformation about what they are and how they work. Learn more here.

Here is a look at how the Affordable Care Act will affect your taxes in 2013 and beyond.

In many circumstances, a reverse mortgage can be a risk to your financial security. Here are six dangers you should consider before signing on the bottom line.

The simplicity of ETFs and their low fees make them perfect for retirement accounts.

Based on today's markets, which ETFs could you buy in 2013 that'll provide the best opportunity for an early retirement?

Make a resolution to start your business off on the right foot in the new year.

These are some of the good choices for ETFs if you are in the late stages of retirement planning.

This is a great time to examine your anticipated expenditures and assess how your spending impacts your financial situation.

You can use the Monte Carlo Simulation to improve your retirement planning.

If you earn a high income, there are many ways you can save extra money for an early retirement.

Are you on track to post-work bliss? We'll tell you how to find out.

With the looming fiscal cliff, here's a look at how it could affect your retirement planning.

Faced with an overabundance of choices, many investors forget to stick to the basics.

Here are some calculations to determine if your net worth is what it should be at your age.

Just because you are comfortably in retirement, that doesn't mean you should stop keeping track of your net worth.

Here are the six best things you can do to increase your net worth.

For investors, the recent rules changes governing both 401(K)s and IRAs can be seen as a big win for the little guy.

IBM has made a move to not match 401(k) contributions each pay period. Instead, there will be a lump sum at the end of each year.

Determine whether your business is eligible to claim a tax credit for establishing a retirement plan.

Here's another reason to put money toward your retirement nest egg.

Read this if you've taken early distributions or owe excess-contribution or excess-accumulation penalties.

Accumulating post-tax assets can work to your advantage. Find out how.

If you have a Roth IRA, you are responsible for keeping track of your pretax versus after-tax assets.

Increases in estate tax rates and possible fiscal cliff implications will make things more difficult when it comes to arrangements for your death.

More and more people are realizing they must work part time during retirement. Here's a look at if you might have to.

IRA assets can't be taxed twice - find out how to avoid paying the second time around.

In today's volatile market, Generation X can't sit around waiting for things to improve. Gen X must implement innovative strategies for retirement planning.

Eager to save for retirement? Learn how to avoid overpayment penalties.

Learn how to work with the tax man to avoid getting gouged when you convert your plans.

Taxpayers with large taxable estates were required to take steps to reduce them before 2011.

Find out how to get a bigger return.

These instruments may shed their bad rap to bring you a hefty tax break.

Rather than shivering away their golden years, retirees can fly south to winter in sunny locales.