Retirement scan

A study finds that the percentage of older Americans over 75 who take five or more prescription drugs jumped to 47% in 2011 from 24% in 1999; plus, who is exempt from Social Security taxes.

Portfolio simulation shows that the retirement bucket strategy didn't perform well last year, prompting rebalancing to meet living costs; plus, how to get people to delay retirement.

How much should your clients save in their retirement accounts to build a nest egg and yet not be deprived of a good lifestyle; plus, can an ESPP save your client’s retirement?

Advise your clients to choose an annuity they understand and one that offers simplistic solutions; plus three retirement stocks to buy this month.

Clients who want to secure their retirement should learn how to distinguish good debt from bad; plus is the U.S. experiencing a retirement crisis?

Advise your clients to “auto-pilot” their retirement savings for needs in their golden years; plus thinking your clients are spending less after retirement, think again.

Advise clients to maximize the contributions to their IRA, 401(k) and other plans; plus, will a 401(k) keep clients from contributing to a Roth IRA?

Seniors may be exempt if they already hold “creditable” prescription drug coverage; plus, taxes on Social Security can be a costly surprise.

Each type of account has its strengths so clients who can contribute to both will make the most of the benefits; plus, the advantages of downsizing.

The federal government's failure to pass adequate measures to address the looming retirement crisis may prompt states to create their own programs, one researcher writes; plus, can clients have two 401(k) plans at the same time?

Many investors are improperly using target-date funds and are losing the "set it and forget it" benefit; plus, what Social Security checks will look like if cuts are made.

Three in five retirees cite staying mentally active as the reason they want to continue working; plus, if clients work in retirement, they should keep this in mind.

Advisors are now recommending reverse mortgages as a good option for clients to boost their retirement income, thanks to new housing rules; plus, how not to let divorce derail your clients' retirement plans.

Employers can help their workers cope with their student loan debt while saving for retirement by using a new benefit platform; plus, why too much guaranteed retirement income can be a bad thing.

Women are 80% more likely than men to end up poor when they reach the age of 65; plus, why target-date funds are falling short.

A Roth IRA is an effective tool that senior clients can include in their estate plan; plus, a strategy for required minimum distributions that an affluent retiree doesn't need.

Although sequencing is recommended when developing a retirement withdrawal strategy, retirees need to take a more flexible view since their tax situation varies from year to year; plus, how to figure out the amount of your client's IRA required minimum distribution.

Policymakers and other experts are debating just how much pre-retirement income should be replaced by Social Security; plus, student debt and savings don't add up.

A 25-year-old employee with $40,000 in annual income can expect $190 more per month in retirement by saving $33 more per month now. But if clients have reached 50 with little savings, here’s how to help.

Only 25% of retirement savers who qualify for this tax credit are familiar with it, according to a new survey; plus, the two best ways to structure a QLAC.