Retirement scan

While clients cannot determine their health care expenses and taxes in retirement, they can improve their prospects by minimizing investment fees and diversifying their portfolios.

Small firms are allowed to set up multiple-employer plans, but the government needs to "simplify and rationalize the rules" for these types of plans, says an expert.

New data shows that the average account balance broke records after increasing to $99,900 in the third quarter.

Retired workers should claim their retirement benefits only when other taxable income sources are used up, as their benefits could be taxed if their taxable earnings reach a certain threshold.

Workers can improve the odds of getting bigger Social Security benefits after they retire by asking for a salary raise from their employer.

Retired workers should remain invested in stocks even if they have to scale back their exposure to this investment type, experts say.

Those who leave the workforce should remain invested in stocks even if they have to scale back their exposure to this investment type, experts say.

Financial advisors can still be held liable for violating impartial conduct standards even though the fiduciary rule has been delayed until 2019.

One-third of households headed by Americans aged 65 and older derive 90% of their retirement income from Social Security, according to a GAO report.

Retirees should ensure that they take their first required minimum distribution from their tax-deferred retirement account in the year they reach 70 1/2 or face a 50% penalty.

In September, the inflation rate was 2.23%, slightly higher than the proposed Social Security increase. So realistically, recipients "will not be better off at all."

Those who leave the workforce can maximize the tax benefits by donating a portion of their IRA assets directly through a qualified charitable distribution

More employers are increasingly becoming more open to making seasonal jobs into a year-round work and hiring retirees on a part-time basis.

High-yield or junk bonds, equities, and real estate investment trusts are excellent investment options for IRAs.

Indeed they are. Not only are they less healthy, they are more likely to worry about not having enough funds for housing, utilities and other necessities.

The tax cut proposal would not benefit retirees because most of them either owe no federal income taxes or face a modest tax burden.

Employees aged 50 and above would no longer be able to make catch-up contributions on a pretax basis to their retirement plans under the Senate version of the GOP tax proposal.

Employees aged 50 and above would no longer be able to make catch-up contributions on a pretax basis to their retirement plans under the Senate version of the GOP tax proposal.

A health savings account can be used to cover medical bills and can also be a great savings vehicle for retirement.

Employees who sock all their savings in a tax-deferred 401(k) plan will owe taxes at a higher rate when the funds are withdrawn in retirement.