Our daily roundup of retirement news your clients may be thinking about.
A survey of retirees who are living a happy and content life in their golden years found that planning early contributed to their success, according to this article on CBS Moneywatch. Having a positive attitude and keeping busy also helped them secure their retirement, while getting their spouse or partner involved in the process eased the transition. Many successful retirees also consulted many sources when developing their retirement plans, mostly from family members, books and other materials. --CBS Moneywatch
While experts usually advise workers to max out contributions to their 401(k) plans, such advice may not be applicable to some people, according to Money. If their employer offers a match contribution in their 401(k) plan, clients may be better off contributing enough for them to receive this privilege. They may invest the money in a Roth IRA, which offers tax-free growth and withdrawal in retirement. --Money
Clients are advised to have an updated will to better prepare for contingencies that will affect their estate, according to USA Today. A will makes the transfer of assets easier and less confusing, as they will no longer be around to do this. Clients also need to update the beneficiaries of their insurance policies and retirement plans or a judge will make the decision in probate based on a will they left or a state law. --USA Today
Retirement investors lose considerably from hidden fees, preventing their savings to achieve maximum growth, according to CNBC. With the new fiduciary rule in place for professionals offering financial advice on retirement accounts, investors should be looking to their advisors to give them only the best recommendations. They also need to have an adequate understanding of the fee schedule and weigh their options before making a decision. --CNBC
People who use the safety-first approach to retirement planning match the various risks they face with their nest egg and prioritize their needs to avoid overspending, according to this article on Forbes. Those who advocate for this strategy dismiss the idea of a safe withdrawal rate from an investment portfolio, so retirees should have a secure income floor throughout their golden years before considering volatile, risky investments. As such, annuitizing a certain portion of retirement funds is recommended to ensure basic needs are covered throughout their lifetime. --Forbes
