Retirement scan

Retirees often underestimate the cost of the second-largest expense for people 65 and older.

Seniors are more likely to opt for the standard deduction, which increased under the new tax law, but those who want to maximize their deductions have several considerations.

Lawmakers this year are expected to pursue measures that will help Americans enhance their retirement prospects.

A recent ruling by the U.S. Labor Department could open the door for automatic 401(k) transfers between employers, which means fewer workers will be tempted to cash out.

Millennials lag behind in terms of credit card debt and retirement savings, but they spend the most on vacation, dining out and other unnecessary expenses, according to a new study.

Conventional wisdom says to postpone filing for benefits until full retirement age or, even better, until your 70th birthday. Are there some cases when that doesn't apply?

One approach to determine a retirement withdrawal rate is to set a fixed percentage of their portfolio every year, says an expert. But there are other strategies, as well.

Compared to lower earners, clients with moderate and higher incomes will owe more taxes on the distributions from tax-deferred accounts after they retire.

Companies should consider offering older workers the option of taking a phased retirement to enable them to transition to the golden years.

Workers should consider contributing the maximum amount to their 401(k)s, whose contribution limits have increased for this year.

Seniors who intend to get a Medigap policy to supplement their traditional Medicare coverage may have trouble getting one.

The stock market typically recovers from bear markets in far less time than most doom-and-gloomers think, says an expert.

Thousands of federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay because of the partial government shutdown should use budgeting to cope with the hard times.

Federal employees who retire during the partial government shutdown would have to wait a longer time to take retirement distributions from their savings plans.

Seniors are advised to take measures to prepare for a possible shortfall in retirement income, as there is no guarantee for an immediate fix to the problem.

Benefits are meant to replace just 40% of preretirement income, so many retirees should consider creating new income sources, such as running a small business or renting out a property.

Working longer and taking on a part-time job are two of the simple strategies for workers to curb the impact of a market correction. But there are other tips to consider as well.

Taking these steps can help clients insulate themselves from some of the market volatility that we've been experiencing recently, says one expert.

If your employees' goal is to save more for retirement, there are some simple steps they can take to make that resolution stick.

This strategy enables retirees to restrict their application to spousal benefits and allow their benefit to grow until they reach 70.