Retirement scan

If costs continue to escalate, Medicare may be forced to pass on the costs to beneficiaries, who are mostly retirees.

The Social Security trust fund only invests in U.S. Treasuries, which have seen yields fall to historic lows.

Round table of experts discuss ramifications of conflicting agendas, high tax brackets and low-cost index funds.

Many Americans make the mistake of tapping their home value for immediate financial issues instead of using it to help fund their retirement.

Why timing is so important for college graduates when making contributions to the 401(k) plans where they work.

Even index funds don’t necessarily escape workers' scrutiny when looking for unnecessary costs.

Retirees who used a 4% withdrawal rate on a portfolio with a 50/50 asset allocation have retained 67.5% of their wealth 16 years out.

Spousal and survivor benefits have become outdated and no longer address the needs of today's families given divorce rates and the number of single households.

While a stock-first withdrawal approach is viewed as a prudent way for retirees to tap into their retirement accounts, advisers should not readily recommend this strategy.

Retirees may receive no increase in benefits in 2017, as the Social Security Trust Fund says that the cost-of-living-adjustment could range between zero to .7%.

Congress can help by creating a law that will enable states and local governments to lower the benefits they promise their employees.

Clients and their family members looking into assisted-living options should avoid making the decision at the last minute, particularly when a health crisis occurs.

An expert agreed that an investor in their 20s doesn't need to worry too much about bonds, but in some situations a fixed-income "sliver" may make sense.

Last election, the sky was falling but the markets handed in a good performance the next year.

Eliminating the tax maximum would fix much of the program's shortfall, but it could also bring unintended consequences.

Even people who have not earned 40 work credits can still sign up for the program but will have to pay a premium for hospital coverage.

The top cities for elders who plan to work past their retirement age are ranked according to factors such as average effective tax rate and senior unemployment rate.

Although market volatility makes stocks a risky investment option, retirement investors should continue to hold stocks in their portfolio.

The goal is to help some 55 million employees with no access to workplace retirement plans.

Women should boost their savings rate and invest their windfall to increase their odds of securing their financial well-being.