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Retirement Planning

A Low-Cost Choice for Muni Income

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST

Spotlight: A fund that offers a low-cost option for investing in munis, whose yields remain higher than on some other bonds, such as U.S. Treasurys.

Risk-Parity Funds Redefine 'Balance'

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST

A new group of allocation funds are based on the view that there is something fundamentally wrong with the classic 60-40 stocks-to-bonds mix.

Itchy Investors Ramp Up the Risk

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST

With interest rates stuck near zero, conservative investors face a tough choice: move into riskier investments or continue coming up short from low-risk investments.

Dividend Stocks Aren't the New Bonds

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST

You can get generous yields…but also considerable risk. Consider using stocks as just one element in a diversified income portfolio.

Retirement Plans Will Soon Start Talking Fees

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST

Under a new Labor Department rule, mutual-fund companies and other 401(k) administrators must disclose plan fees to employers and to the workers investing in the plans.

Gen Y Invests More Than It Thinks

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST

18-to-30-year-olds say they don't feel comfortable about stocks, but that bears little resemblance to how they actually invest.

An Annuity Can Still Make Sense

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST

Despite the current ultralow rates, immediate annuities can still be a good option for retirees who need guaranteed income right now.

Annuitizing Your 401(k)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:28:58 EST

Washington is making it easier for workers to purchase lifetime-income products in retirement-savings plans—and insurers are following suit.

Feds Disclose New 401(k) Rules

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:29:00 EST

The Labor Department has issued long-awaited rules on the disclosure of fees that retirement-plan participants pay.

Companies Look to Cut 401(k) Fees

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:01:00 EST

The rules governing America's most popular retirement vehicle are about to change, and that could mean huge savings for millions of workers building nest eggs for the future.

The Private Pension Plan

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:31:11 EST

If you're self-employed and in the top echelon of earners, there's a big potential retirement-plan tax break available to you—and you don't even have to be Mitt Romney to get it.

The Disappearing IRA Charitable Donation

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:13:09 EST

What should would-be IRA donors do this year, with the law still in limbo?

How to Make Your 401(k) Plan Work Harder

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:14:48 EST

Most of us continue to neglect our 401(k) plan. The median plan contains a balance of just $18,000. Good luck with that.

U.S. Acts to Stay Below Debt Limit

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:06:48 EST

The U.S. government curtailed investment in a federal retirement fund as it looks to stay under the legal debt limit while awaiting a congressional vote of disapproval on lifting the ceiling.

Aging and Broke, More Lean on Family

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:09:27 EST

More aging Americans are doing something they never would have imagined: turning to family for financial aid. Some are even asking their children for a place to live.

  
Copyright 2012 by RWH