3 financial risks that retirees underestimate: Retirement Scan

3 financial risks that retirees underestimate
When they retire, investors are likely to prepare for asset allocation risk, sequence-of-return risk and other risks associated with the stock market, according to this article on Kiplinger. However, they are advised to pay close attention to other factors that threaten their retirement, such as portfolio failure, unexpected financial responsibility and health issue. The article discusses these risks and what retirees can do to mitigate them.

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A pensioner sits and smokes on the terrace of the Polish care home where she lives in Sloneczna Polana, Poland, on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013. *** ADD SECOND SENTENCE *** Photographer: Bartek Sadowski/Bloomberg

Inherited IRAs: What you need to know
More clients have inherited an IRA from a retired parent, spouse or loved one, so it pays to understand the rules governing inherited IRAs, according to this article on Motley Fool. The distributions from inherited IRAs are based on age, account type and relationship of the beneficiary with the original owner. Read the article to know what happens if a non-spouse is named the beneficiary or the IRA carries multiple beneficiaries.

7 tips for finding the best target-date retirement funds to buy
While target-date funds make retirement investing easy for clients who are saving for the future, finding the right funds could pose as a challenge, according to this article on Yahoo. To pick the right TDFs, retirement investors are advised to determine their timeline, risk tolerance and glide path. They should also prefer TDFs that charge lower fees, use a fund screener to identify quality options, and pick the ones that can help them address inflation and longevity risks.

Is your estate plan up to date? Check these 5 things
Clients are advised to update their estate plan every time they experience a life-changing event, such as birth of a child, marriage, divorce or change of jobs, according to this article on MarketWatch. When revising an estate plan, they should check if the named beneficiaries for each of their accounts still apply, especially the beneficiaries for their IRAs, since the rules can be complicated. Clients should also ensure that all their investment accounts have proper titles, prepare a financial durable power of attorney in case they become unable to make decisions for themselves and inform their attorney promptly of the changes they make to their estate plan.

Ask Larry: What is the max my wife can collect if I die?
A 62-year-old wife who files for Social Security spousal benefit on her husband's record can expect to receive a reduced benefit, which is 50% of her spouse's full retirement benefit times 0.75, according to this article on Forbes. If the husband dies, she qualifies for widow's benefit, which is computed using the RIBLIM formula, as the husband started collecting his retirement benefit before he reached his full retirement age.

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Retirement planning Social Security IRAs Target date funds Estate planning
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