Retirement scan

Education loans accounted for 30% of installment debt for pre-retirees in the 55 to 64 age bracket, according to a LIMRA survey; Plus, 5 signs your clients rely too much on Social Security.

Clients need to embrace new ways of learning in retirement because the deeply ingrained ways from earlier in life are less effective in later years; Plus, 4 ways clients are sabotaging their retirement in their 30s.

Some employers have made target-date funds a default option in their retirement plans, a move that has improved employees' diversification; Plus, many older people are torn between saving for retirement and helping their children pay for college.

Clients cannot request a new Social Security number to allay fears of possible fraud-related claims on their records, but may be allowed to change their number if the threat of abuse of their existing number continues; Plus, a new take on the right retirement age.

More seniors are using their retirement income to pay down their house debt, making them vulnerable to financial trouble once they run out of savings or suffer from an illness; Plus, why that 'guarantee' on your client's annuity might be a red flag.

People who decide to retire early share common traits that others don't have, such as having a happy marriage; Plus, a better way to help your clients tap their retirement savings.

Shortfalls in contributions have prompted many public pension plans to take enormous investment risks to increase their returns; Plus, two retirement plan options for entrepreneurs and self-employed clients.

Over the past 50 years, dividends of the S&P 500 have grown an average of 5.7% a year, outpacing the average inflation rate of 4.1%; Plus, how Social Security could be used by the government to address retirement inequality.

Clients give up access to their money with annuities, so they are advised to use only a portion of their savings in these products; Plus, they should activate a fraud alert if they think their Social Security number has been compromised.

Clients are advised to name a beneficiary and back-up beneficiary of their accounts, and designating a trust is a good option if there are children from a previous marriage; Plus, how to prepare for a long retirement.

Seventy-nine of 126 public pension plans decided to lower their return assumptions in the years after the financial crisis in 2008; Plus, five common Medicare mistakes to avoid.

401(k) plans increasingly resemble the traditional pensions that guarantee a steady income for workers in retirement; Plus, personal finance tips for Americans considering retiring overseas.

Retirees who consider downsizing need to know that such a move doesn't always end up with savings; Plus, three steps to a safer retirement stash.

Agents tout that these products offer 8% guaranteed returns, but this 8% is not a yield but an income rider; Plus, how the Supreme Court just improved your clients' retirement.

Clients are advised to avoid using a break-even analysis when deciding on when to start collecting their Social Security retirement benefits; Plus, why you shouldn't rollover a late spouse's IRA into your own.

Forty-four percent of workers receiving over $75,000 yearly fail to save for retirement because of their spending on lifestyle purchases; Plus, tips on drawing down retirement funds.

Gen Xers are more pessimistic than baby boomers about their retirement prospects; Plus, the surprising new company benefit that's helping Americans retire.

To help clients envision their long-term needs, show them how much more they can receive from the government if they wait longer to file for benefits; Plus, reverse mortgage can help in the right situations.

Clients who are considering taking student loans should compare the interest rates with their investment returns before making a decision; Plus, how Americans are missing out on $24 billion a year.

Clients who intend to stay in their homes after they retire should consider changes like open floor plans and wider doors to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers; Plus, small businesses now have no excuse for lousy retirement plans.