Retirement scan

Boosting the widow's benefit, while limiting the size of the increase for higher earners, could be a “well-targeted way to help reduce poverty for this vulnerable group.”

The Trump administration is considering pushing back the age at which retirees have to take required minimum distributions from tax-deferred retirement account.

Waiting until your 70th birthday is the much-discussed strategy to maximize benefits. But in some circumstances, you won't miss out if you file earlier.

Clients approaching or already in retirement should be a risk manager who focuses on risk tolerance.

Tax cuts and other policies have stirred a stronger economy, but these results could mean vulnerable financial markets in the foreseeable future.

IRS rules allow clients in certain circumstances to tap their retirement accounts before the age of 59 1/2 without a 10% penalty. But this still should be considered a last resort, an expert says.

The guideline used a specific set of assumptions: a retirement lasting 30 years with savings in a tax-deferred account and nothing left for heirs. Change just one and your “safe” withdrawal rate may differ.

Retirees will owe taxes for up to 85% of their Social Security benefits if their adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest exceed a certain threshold.

A study notes that retirees might be experiencing the “Homer Simpson” mindset, in which they choose immediate gratification without thinking about the long-term consequences.

Among current retirees, the numbers aren't much better: 60% of them have not calculated how much health care costs impact their savings.

Lawmakers are looking to pass the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018, which will allow workers to save more while encouraging employers to offer more retirement savings options.

Cost of living is a key consideration, but a retiree’s goals and objectives are also important.

While proceeds from life insurance are not subject to income tax, there are other taxes that will apply. But there are steps to take to avoid those liabilities too.

These property tax deferral programs are available to older homeowners who want to postpone real estate taxes provided they remain living in their home.

Most people, particularly younger clients, worry that they will not be able to get their Social Security benefits by the time they retire.

Plan design features like automatic enrollment and automatic increases are having a positive impact. Such steps are designed to increase participation even from people who may be suffering from inertia, says a researcher.

Millennials and other younger clients would see their Social Security benefits decrease 21% once the program runs out of funds by 2034.

Many single baby boomers opt to stay put in retirement because they have no children who would advise them to move to an assisted living or continuous care community.

When the financial clouds are gathering, your clients have preparations to make. Top of the list: reduce risk.

Seniors are likely to be in a lower tax bracket in the few years after retirement, creating a "sweet spot" for them to convert some of their traditional 401(k) or traditional IRA assets into a Roth account.