Employee benefits

Proponents of defined-contribution plans envisioned them as supplements to defined benefit plans; they didn't anticipate that 401(k)s would largely replace pensions.

Here's how clients can get around income limits and continue making contributions. Plus, tips for updating a client's financial plan now and dramatically increasing wealth after the IRS gets paid.

On average, workers in 2015 put 6.8% of their salaries into 401(k) and profit-sharing plans, according to a recent survey.

There are limits to how much clients can contribute — exceeding these thresholds can result in costly penalties.

Why advisers should use age-banding to plan for retirees’ spending levels to flex and adjust.

92% of 401(k) participants are unaware of the fees they pay in their plans, creating the potential to lose a substantial amount of retirement savings

Retirees can hear different perspectives from other patients and learn more about their medical conditions.

How the new regulation will affect a planner’s advice.

Many Americans are facing bleak retirement prospects as a result of the current do-it-yourself retirement system.

It's not too late to help clients improve their tax situation for 2016 and beyond.

Many pension plans are facing financial woes, with many of them reducing pension payouts to their beneficiaries.

Clients who want to reduce their expenses during retirement may want to move to a state that doesn’t tax these government benefits.

Underestimating longevity is one of the blunders that clients should be careful not to make.

Clients should consider switching to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) as investment growth and distributions are not subject to tax.

Surprise riches can help clients as much as hurt them. 

Although clients pay taxes on the contributions they make, they can still expect tax savings as their money grows tax-free and future distributions are exempt from taxes.

Many would argue the retirement fund is archaic, inelegant and user-unfriendly. Is it time for something new?

Investors are advised to reduce their risk capacity and get their portfolio ready for the distribution phase once they are within five years of their retirement.

Clients in this situation will need to gather a lot of paperwork, including at least eight certified copies of the spouse's death certificate for life insurance, among other reasons.