Retirement scan

Employees can simplify their retirement portfolio by merging multiple accounts.

The new tax law has extended the grace period for outstanding 401(k) loans made by workers who switch jobs, luring more participants to borrow from their accounts, exposing them to greater risk.

Taxation of retirement plan distributions and Social Security benefits remains unchanged under the new tax law, but retirees are likely to see an increase in after-tax income.

The proposed budget includes a provision that would give Medicare recipients the option to contribute to a health savings account, which would offer various tax benefits.

Workers who are looking for new investments may want to invest in small-cap dividend payers,

Raising the payroll tax is the easy way (in theory); here are other solutions for funding the Social Security shortfall.

Younger investors may see the market's swing as just another fluctuation in the market, while assuming that time is on their side. Older investors, on the other hand, may be far more stressed.

Working longer and delaying Social Security could result in a bigger retirement benefit.

Retirees are advised to step back to get a better perspective and then review their asset allocation in their portfolio.

Investors are advised to liquidate some assets or transfer them to certificates of deposit and money market funds.

As long as their earnings won't exceed the limit set by the Social Security Administration, they will not lose their benefits.

Only less than one-third of workers polled by TIAA claimed that they are contributing to an IRA

Even if those assets are used to pay for nonmedical expenses, an HSA can still be ahead of a 401(k) plan or an IRA.

Employees have a hundred—if not a thousand—possible options to consider when claiming Social Security benefits.

Retirees who consider taking withdrawals from their 401(k) and other similar plans should account for the tax impact before making a decision.

Savers are starting to take money out of their 401(k) accounts—despite taxes and penalties involved—assuming it will be replaced as markets continue to surge upward.

Employees should consider that state laws may differ on who may be legally recognized as a beneficiary's spouse and thus whether their partner would be entitled to spousal benefits.

While the funds are ideal for certain people, they don't address important retirement considerations, such as the cost of funding a comfortable living and a person’s savings rate.

With many private and public pensions in the red, employees are advised to look for options that will improve their prospects, such Roth IRAs.

IRA investors can draw funds from their accounts tax-free if the money will be used to fund college tuition and other related costs.