Retirement benefits

Clients ask: "Will I run out of money?" Here’s how planners can confidently tell them "no." Like every approach, however, there are a few drawbacks.

Investors are advised to do a Roth conversion before year-end to make the most of the federal tax deduction for state and local income taxes, which could disappear next year.

Relying too much on tax-loss harvesting to generate an income is a common mistake that clients should avoid after they retire.

Retirees who have reached the age of 70 1/2 should take required minimum distributions from tax-deferred accounts, while those who are younger should draw from their taxable accounts.

With the right steps, clients can reduce their tax liability, as well as new sources of retirement income with different tax treatments,

Many deductions are likely to disappear if Congress passes the reform bill into law.

If clients set aside a portion of earnings in a 401(k) or IRA, taxes weren't forgiven, just deferred. They'll still owe money to the IRS at some point.

While clients cannot determine their health care expenses and taxes in retirement, they can improve their prospects by minimizing investment fees and diversifying their portfolios.

A recent report provides insights into the regulator's concerns, that include cybersecurity, anti-money laundering and alternative investments.

Small firms are allowed to set up multiple-employer plans, but the government needs to "simplify and rationalize the rules" for these types of plans, says an expert.

Medicare Part B premiums will stay flat next year, but most retirees will still pay more.

Advisors should contact every client who did a Roth conversion in 2017 to discuss a key change in tax regulations, Ed Slott says.

Workers can improve the odds of getting bigger Social Security benefits after they retire by asking for a salary raise from their employer.

A new body of research suggests an ideal retirement-planning approach may exist — but buyer beware.

One-third of households headed by Americans aged 65 and older derive 90% of their retirement income from Social Security, according to a GAO report.

Whether they have a mortgage does not affect the capital gains calculation, according to a CFP.

Retirees should ensure that they take their first required minimum distribution from their tax-deferred retirement account in the year they reach 70 1/2 or face a 50% penalty.

Their use has jumped 1,035% with assets topping more than $1 trillion.

In September, the inflation rate was 2.23%, slightly higher than the proposed Social Security increase. So realistically, recipients "will not be better off at all."

"Sun and sand are great," says one analyst, but they're not the only considerations. They certainly didn't help boost the top city in this survey.