Retirement planning

Announcing changes that will likely affect wealth managers helping clients with tax planning, the IRS said that many tax benefits for the 2012 tax year will increase due to inflation adjustments. Investors will be able to contribute an additional $500 to their 401(k), for a total of $17,000 for those under 50 and $22,500 for those 50 or older.

Putnam Investments is addressing the need for customized retirement income withdrawal strategies through the launch of the Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Funds, a suite of three income-oriented mutual funds, and a Retirement Income Analysis Tool.

Putnam Investments is addressing the need for customized retirement income withdrawal strategies through the launch of the Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Funds, a suite of three income-oriented mutual funds, and a Retirement Income Analysis Tool.

American workers are becoming more and more pessimistic about their retirement prospects, according to a new survey by Sun Life Financial, but those who have invested in annuities or hold long-term care insurance are decidedly more confident.

This week is National Save for Retirement Week, and a variety of financial planning groups are promoting that fact to attract clients.

FINRA this week issued an investor alert urging the roughly 30% of American workers who are not contributing enough to their 401(k) plans to receive a full employer match to step up their contributions in order to meet their eventual retirement needs.

Vanguard said the small 401(k) plan service that it introduced last month for plans of up to $20 million in assets under management has been receiving a great deal of interest, particularly the platform’s concentration on low-cost index and target-date funds, and its “all-in” plan fees that include investment, recordkeeping and administration costs.

Great-West Retirement Services has launched a marketing campaign this week to participate in the National Save for Retirement Week. Dubbed “Celebrate Saving,” the campaign centers around e-mails, fliers, posters and a banner on its participant website that links to a “Celebrate Saving” microsite.

MFS Investment Management has launched an additional 401(k) module for financial advisors called “Building a Standout Approach.” The module helps advisors decide which content to present and how to organize and structure it to various industries and audiences.

John Hancock Financial Network has launched a turnkey retirement income program for financial advisors that includes a web-based product allocation analysis tool, multi-media educational and sales materials and dedicated support.

John Hancock Financial Network has launched a turnkey retirement income program for financial advisers that includes a web-based product allocation analysis tool, multi-media educational and sales materials and dedicated support.

Although Edward Jones recommends that retirees start with a plan to withdraw 4% of their retirement savings each year, Americans have a widely varying idea of how much they will need, the investment firm found in a survey of 1,011 people.

Although Edward Jones recommends that retirees start with a plan to withdraw 4% of their retirement savings each year, Americans have a widely varying idea of how much they will need, the investment firm found in a survey of 1,011 people.

The Hartford is taking part in the upcoming National Save for Retirement Week of Oct. 16 with the “It’s In Your Power Campaign,” based on superheroes.

Having gone into bankruptcy, Financial Research Corp. is now being evaluated by Strategic Insight parent Asset International for potential purchase.

In the wake of economic and stock market volatility, many 401(k) investors are questioning the wisdom of 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans, a survey by Allianz Life Insurance Company finds.

Automatic enrollment greatly increases participation in 401(k) plans for all racial and ethnic groups, with particular success for blacks and Hispanics, even among low earners, Vanguard research shows.

One of the hot topics in the field of behavioral finance is the use of heuristics -- simple rules of thumb or mental shortcuts often used to make decisions or draw inferences quickly and with minimal effort. While in everyday life these mental shortcuts help us to function quickly and efficiently, author and consultant Keith Weber says that when they’re applied to our personal finances they can often lead to poor investment decisions.

A majority of married couples in their 60s lack the knowledge about how to maximize their Social Security benefits and whether or not to expect Social Security advice from a financial planner.

ING knows people of all ages are now virtually tethered to their smartphones and tablet PCs, so it’s rolling out a new program to help employees instantly enroll in their employers’ retirement plans.