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Ongoing updates from the Labor Department's hearings on its proposal to impose fiduciary requirements on retirement advisors from Financial Planning, On Wall Street, Employee Benefit Advisor and Employee Benefit News.

Clients can avoid risk by replacing low-yield bonds in their portfolio with high-dividend stocks; plus how and when clients should apply for Social Security and why parent education loans can ruin your clients' retirement.

Concerns about over-regulation and accusations of industry cynicism led the opening of the Labor Department's hearings on its proposal to impose fiduciary requirements on retirement advisors.

Brokerage industry leaders told Labor officials that the plan's contract requirements will compel them to drop less-affluent clients who want to retire.

Stifel CEO Ronald Kruszewski remains upbeat about his latest acquisition of Barclays' wealth management unit despite rising advisor attrition, telling analysts that "it will still be a wonderful deal from a shareholder perspective."

The regional broker-dealer's newest branch manager also worked as a complex director for Merrill Lynch.

In its first day of hearings about the proposed fiduciary rule, the DoL has heard testimony from advisors, legal experts and other industry representatives — many seeking revisions to minimize the ‘burden’ of the rule’s future implementation.

Clients planning to retire with adequate savings are advised to reduce their spending and develop a strategy to lower their tax burden; Plus, how clients should decide on the right 401(k) and are baby boomers too optimistic about retirement?

A week of hearings on contentious fiduciary proposal gets underway as SIFMA chief warns brokers will abandon retirement market if rules take effect.

Employees may express interest in annuities, yet few retirement plan sponsors are rushing to offer them within their 401(k) plans.