Professional Advice Is Getting Better, Still Deficient: Retirement Scan

Our daily roundup of retirement news your clients may be thinking about.

Retirement advice: getting better, but still deficient
Financial advisory firms have enhanced their retirement-planning services while the tools they use have also improved, according to a study. However, there is inconsistency regarding the fees they charge to their clients, the study finds. Clients who want professional help for their retirement planning are advised to prepare questions ahead of time to determine if the firms can address their concerns. They should consider up to five advisory firms and know how much these firms charge for the services, so they can pick the right firm for their needs.--Forbes

6 things you should know about rebalancing
Retirement investors need to rebalance their portfolios every year, as a way to put risk under control and not to increase returns, according to this article in MarketWatch. When rebalancing, clients should opt for non-correlated asset classes to receive better long-term returns, and they are advised to stick to a buy-low, sell-high strategy. Investors also need to consider the tax consequences, and they should study the timing and frequency of rebalancing their portfolios.  --MarketWatch

Get these 4 big things right to retire in comfort
Clients can work toward securing a comfortable retirement if they set their sights on the right amount of savings that they will need, according to an article on CNN Money. They can also enhance their retirement prospects if they save at least 15% of their pay through a 401(k) plan and other retirement accounts. Retirement investors are on track if they maintain a good mix of stocks and bonds and choose low-cost investments. It also helps if retirement savers and retirees monitor their progress using a retirement income calculator.  --CNN Money

The key to 401(k) success that 1/3 of Americans never do
More than one-third of 401(k) participants have not chosen the option to automatically increase their contributions, according to a survey. Some 44% of workers are saving less than what financial advisers recommend. To address this, clients should opt to raise their 401(k) contributions, especially when they get a salary increase.  --DailyFinance

Creative ways to cut your 401(k) fees
Many 401(k) participants are unaware that they may be investing in funds that charge high fees, and that they can save considerably if they opt for low-cost funds, according to an article in Forbes. Since employers and retirement-plan operators cover the paperwork cost through fund expense ratios, participants need to be creative to lower the cost. Clients who are trapped in high-cost funds are advised to complain about the setup, use the brokerage window to select affordable funds, and counterbalance their investments. Clients may also make a withdrawal but should know the restrictions, and they can roll their account into an IRA when they transfer to another employer.  --Forbes

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