Retirement benefits

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.

If they file for Social Security, they should expect 26% less than they would get if they wait until their full retirement age.

High-net-worth clients can be baffled by a number of trust vehicles that minimize the tax liability on IRAs. Here’s how advisers can guide them.

Although some income is withheld, benefits can be higher down the road.

Anticipation of auto enrollment features is expected to change the way advisers serve their clients.

Here's why filing for Social Security benefits at the wrong time may mean a less fulfilling retirement.

An adviser's strategy puts a distribution to work to potentially lower what clients owe the government for their IRAs and Social Security income. Plus, momentum investing is tempting again (just watch out for the capital gains expense), and a look at the efficiency and payoffs of preferred stocks.

To manage risk in the equity markets, advisers should pitch a V-shaped bond tent.

Employees who invest heavily in company stock are commingling their financial capital with their human capital, and making their financial plans unnecessarily risky along the way.

Here’s what advisers are suggesting, just in case.

Tax-wise strategies for charitable contributions can take a 180-degree turn when it comes time to create an estate plan.

Here’s what advisers are suggesting, just in case.

A typically "balanced" portfolio (with 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds) yielded a return of 4% or more just 66% of the time.

As many as 30% of accounts are either abandoned or lost because many providers can no longer locate the account holders.

Advisers and clients may think it doesn't matter which account makes the distribution, as long as the total calculated amount is taken from some account. They are wrong.

Investing in more bonds for a short period is a good strategy for retirement savers to curb the sequence of return risk.

The size of the firm may dictate what will work for advisers and employees.