Retirement planning

Before the year comes to a close, advisors should check with clients to ensure they're minimizing tax liabilities.

Plan sponsors need to be aware of what will happen to 401(k) plan loans now that rates have gone up.

Higher interest rates will be a welcome relief for retirees who live on income from bonds, CDs and money market funds; Plus, clients should not assume their former employers will manage their 401(k) assets after they resign.

A 69-year-old retiree who is in good financial standing overall needs to buy more equities with large cash stake; Plus, clients who want to retire at 55 need to consider health insurance needs before they become eligible for Medicare.

As lawmakers broker a compromise to keep the government funded, industry groups vow to continue the fight to delay Department of Labor's controversial advisors rules.

The government deemed file-and-suspend an "aggressive" claiming strategy, but some clients can use it for 6 more months; Plus, clients should use the bucket approach to emergency savings.

Spousal election to treat an IRA inherited from a deceased spouse as the surviving spouse's own IRA may not be made until after the death of the first spouse; Plus, Some Americans leave tens of thousands of Social Security benefits on the table.

If there are subsequent rate hikes in the coming years, clients will feel an effect; Plus, why falling gold and oil prices shouldn't be a concern for older clients.

Clients who have $30,000 in student loan debt would have missed as much as $325,000 in investment opportunities in their 401(k) plans; Plus, the one money move to make before the end of the year.

Setting aside 15% of income for retirement may not be enough to build a nest egg that is adequate to cover living and other costs in the golden years; Plus, why investors should say no to universal life insurance as a retirement fund.

A proposal to require the Labor Department to respond to the volumes of comment it received on the proposal would create a delay that fiduciary advocates say would run out the clock on a vital consumer protection.

Nothing in the 401(k) plan market changes overnight and some caution that while robos may have a valuable role to play in helping prepare employees for retirement, employers need to do their due diligence.

Seniors are advised to work longer and retain their equity investments to help their portfolios keep up with inflation; Plus, why retirees are moving again.

It bears paying attention in the coming year as to what inroads digital-first firms can make into the DC space.

Inflation is just one of the risks that annuity investors face since higher prices could lower the purchasing power of annuity payments; Plus, changing strategies for Social Security.

Similar to mutual funds, but for a fraction of the price, collective investment trusts can make a big difference to a portfolio.

Some clients may be better off claiming benefits early if they are younger than their spouse and expect a shorter life span because of medical problems; Plus, what clients need to know about annuities.

Woe to the client whose advisor fails to detect these common errors.

The Wall Street Journal offered opposing opinions on the recent Social Security changes, and specifically whether the file-and-suspend claiming strategy constituted a loophole.

Jon Dauphiné, a former AARP executive, was named the foundation's executive director. He replaces Jim Peniston, who is retiring after 13 years of service.