Retirement scan

For pre-retirees who have not saved quite enough it's especially important to establish a plan to pay off credit card debt; Plus, proposals to improve workers' access to retirement plans first need a unified contribution limit.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has revamped the rules on reverse mortgages to allow the servicer to foreclose the home mortgage if the account holder dies and the home is left to a non-borrowing spouse; Plus, five ways to talk to parents about their retirement income.

More pre-retirees intend to spend all their savings and leave nothing to their children than those who save as much as they can to pass on to the next generation; Plus, retirement saving rules that just don't add up.

Clients who want to roll over their spouses' IRA into their names can only do so if their spouses die and if they are properly named as beneficiaries; Plus, how to avoid running out of money in retirement.

Investors may consider leaving their 401(k) retirement plans if their employer doesn't match the contribution they make; Plus, five money-making ideas to boost clients' retirement funds.

Hint: It isn't claiming at 62; Plus, four things to consider before retiring abroad.

More than half of global employers surveyed by Vanguard say they intend to boost company contributions to 401(k) plans in the next five years; Plus, almost half of American workers (45%) are not saving for retirement.

Workers aged 65 and above accounted for more than 16% of the labor force in 2010, up from 12% in 1990, according to the Census Bureau--and many of them have no plans to quit.

If clients need to scramble to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, that's just one red flag they haven't saved enough: Plus, some investors can't wait for higher interest rates.

Instead of shifting all their assets to bonds and other safe investments, retired clients should keep some in high-quality dividend stocks; Also, clients should be self-centered when planning for retirement.

Missing the deadline for enrollment brings a penalty of 10% of the Part B premium for every year not enrolled--and in some cases, it's for life.

Retirement investors could post attractive returns amid high interest rates with high quality intermediate-term bonds: Plus, top mutual funds for 401(k) retirement savings.

Gen Xers can save in their 401(k) plans for a longer period of time compared with baby boomers, and can expect higher tax-deferred investment growth; Plus, the best and worst states for retirement.

Target date funds charge higher fees and don't perform well during a financial crisis; Plus, three great freebies for retirees.

Future retirees whose non-Social Security income exceeds $80,000 would see benefit cuts under a proposal by the New Jersey governor; Plus, why Roth IRA tax tricks won't rescue an investor's retirement.

Entrepreneurs who are operating abroad need to take advantage of qualified retirement accounts for their business; Plus, why Social Security reform will never happen.

Nearly 60% of retirees started collecting Social Security before they reached full retirement age, reducing benefits by as much as 30%, according to a survey.

Fidelity and Vanguard have almost the same investment portfolios in their target-date funds, but lower expenses give Vanguard's investors a higher return.; Plus, clients should try a retirement dress rehearsal before the big day.

While some retirees work even after they are financially secure, a full 46% would have retired four years early if they could have afforded it; Plus, cookie cutter solutions won't do.

Investors are being prompted to ask some tough questions on the value their advisors bring, as well as training and compensation; Plus, how to build a tax-efficient portfolio for clients.