Retirement scan

Underestimating longevity is one of the blunders that clients should be careful not to make.

Clients should consider switching to a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) as investment growth and distributions are not subject to tax.

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.

Although retirement investors lose from the decline in bonds' value, they stand to gain from the rising payouts from 10-year Treasury bonds.

The total retirement funds of 100 CEOs can match the combined nest eggs of 41% of U.S. households that saved the least for retirement.

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.

While delaying Social Security can maximize retirement benefits and boost income, some clients have financial circumstances that make an early retirement a better option.

Clients can claim a tax deduction for Medicare premium payments and contribute to a tax-advantaged spousal IRA if they continue working.

Investors nearing retirement should make sure their portfolios are diversified and consider alternative assets, such as real estate, commodities and annuities.

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.

It's misguided to treat Social Security as bonds since clients can't sell a portion of their Social Security when they need to raise funds.

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

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.

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.

They are advised to max out tax-deductible contributions to their 401(k) plan and IRA to pay less in taxes this year.

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.

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

For a couple details: Part D monthly premiums are often in the $35 to $50 range and higher-income retirees pay more for drug coverage.