Lee Conrad

Tax cuts and other policies have stirred a stronger economy, but these results could mean vulnerable financial markets in the foreseeable future.

Why these are more inviting under the new tax law.

IRS rules allow clients in certain circumstances to tap their retirement accounts before the age of 59 1/2 without a 10% penalty. But this still should be considered a last resort, an expert says.

The guideline used a specific set of assumptions: a retirement lasting 30 years with savings in a tax-deferred account and nothing left for heirs. Change just one and your “safe” withdrawal rate may differ.

Retirees will owe taxes for up to 85% of their Social Security benefits if their adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest exceed a certain threshold.

Why these are more inviting under the new tax law.

A study notes that retirees might be experiencing the “Homer Simpson” mindset, in which they choose immediate gratification without thinking about the long-term consequences.

Among current retirees, the numbers aren't much better: 60% of them have not calculated how much health care costs impact their savings.

The order is for the Treasury Department to review rules that require mandatory distributions to begin when someone turns 70 1/2, and to make it easier for small businesses to offer 401(k) plans.

Cost of living is a key consideration, but a retiree’s goals and objectives are also important.

While proceeds from life insurance are not subject to income tax, there are other taxes that will apply. But there are steps to take to avoid those liabilities too.

These property tax deferral programs are available to older homeowners who want to postpone real estate taxes provided they remain living in their home.

Most people, particularly younger clients, worry that they will not be able to get their Social Security benefits by the time they retire.

Plan design features like automatic enrollment and automatic increases are having a positive impact. Such steps are designed to increase participation even from people who may be suffering from inertia, says a researcher.

Millennials and other younger clients would see their Social Security benefits decrease 21% once the program runs out of funds by 2034.

Many single baby boomers opt to stay put in retirement because they have no children who would advise them to move to an assisted living or continuous care community.

When the financial clouds are gathering, your clients have preparations to make. Top of the list: reduce risk.

Seniors are likely to be in a lower tax bracket in the few years after retirement, creating a "sweet spot" for them to convert some of their traditional 401(k) or traditional IRA assets into a Roth account.

Clients could amass $1,000,000 even with an annual return of just 6.5%, an analyst says, if they take the right steps.

Despite the increase, the figure still represents a small percentage of the 16.1 million accounts that the company manages.