Retirement

Baby boomers appear to be taking a second look at their life insurance policies as an alternative financial solution to paying for retirement, where they sell an unneeded life insurance policy for a portion of the face amount. These transactions, known as life settlements, have become a mainstream practice in the past several years, particularly as baby boomers begin exploring all financial options to paying for retirement, including previously unconventional alternatives.

Men and women are preparing for retirement in very different ways, according to findings from Ameriprise Financial. While men outpace women in planning for the financial aspects of retirement (77% vs. 72%), women are more likely to say they've thought about what they'd like to do during retirement. And though a mere 22% of Americans report confidence in reaching their retirement goals, men are significantly more likely than women to report this sentiment (25% vs. 19%).

Despite flat stock market returns in 2011, investors haven't lost faith in their workplace retirement plans, according to two studies released on Tuesday by the Investment Company Institute.

When the oldest baby boomers start turning 66 this year, they'll be eligible to file for full Social Security benefits. But pollsters say many Americans plan to work well past that age, reflecting tough economic times and a general desire to reshape the idea of retirement.

U.S. employees’ confidence in their ability to retire comfortably continued to rebound last year. However, despite growing satisfaction with their financial situation and fewer employees reporting significant declines in retirement savings, many employees remain concerned and are taking steps to get their financial houses in order, according to a new survey by Towers Watson.

Only 25% of plan sponsors with 100 or more employees and plan assets between $5 million and $500 million partner with a professional adviser, according to a recent report from The Retirement Advisor Council. The study demonstra

A new Nationwide Financial study shows three-quarters (74%) of women small business owners expect their business to be negatively impacted in 2012 by the economy. Just one in five (22%) think the state of the economy will improve and one third (34%) expect their sales and revenue to decline.

Broker-dealers are up in arms over a little-known provision of the Department of Labor's 401(k) plan fee disclosure rules. Ready why some industry observers say the brokerage industry only has itself to blame.

The New Year is a good time to communicate to employees that the maximum annual participant contribution to 401(k) plans has increased, says one retirement plan expert.

Last week's report on unemployment shows that the economy continues to gather steam - payrolls grew by 200,000 and the jobless rate ticked downward again, to 8.5%.