Retirement scan

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.

Retirees may want to look for other income sources, such as renting out a room in their home, taking a reverse mortgage or going back to work.

Creating an irrevocable trust is an option for elders to protect themselves from people who want to take advantage of their declining health and benefit from their wealth.

The tax benefits of an HSA make those plans a better option to max out first, although contributing just enough to a company plan to get any matching funds should be first.

Trump has proposed making it easier to pass on HSAs to heirs, while some House Republicans want to nearly double contribution limits.

High front-end fees, complex payouts and a lack of dividend income are among the reasons.

The proceeds can be used to pay the tax bill from converting a 401(k) and traditional IRA into a Roth account.

Instead, focus on things as they are today, and the most likely scenario for tomorrow, while remaining flexible enough to accommodate changing circumstances.

Now may be the best time for retirees to make charitable donations, do a Roth conversion, and incur more qualified medical expenses to meet the threshold and qualify for a tax deduction.

Investors should take market volatility as an opportunity to engage in year-end tax planning that includes strategies such as tax-loss harvesting.

Changing a Medigap plan during open enrollment could be costly, especially when the switch happens after the initial six-month window.