Retirement scan

The tax benefits of an HSA make those plans a better option to max out first, although contributing just enough to a company plan to get any matching funds should be first.

Trump has proposed making it easier to pass on HSAs to heirs, while some House Republicans want to nearly double contribution limits.

Trump has proposed making it easier to pass on HSAs to heirs, while some House Republicans want to nearly double contribution limits.

High front-end fees, complex payouts and a lack of dividend income are among the reasons.

High front-end fees, complex payouts and a lack of dividend income are among the reasons.

The proceeds can be used to pay the tax bill from converting a 401(k) and traditional IRA into a Roth account.

The proceeds can be used to pay the tax bill from converting a 401(k) and traditional IRA into a Roth account.

Instead, focus on things as they are today, and the most likely scenario for tomorrow, while remaining flexible enough to accommodate changing circumstances.

Instead, focus on things as they are today, and the most likely scenario for tomorrow, while remaining flexible enough to accommodate changing circumstances.

Now may be the best time for retirees to make charitable donations, do a Roth conversion, and incur more qualified medical expenses to meet the threshold and qualify for a tax deduction.

Now may be the best time for retirees to make charitable donations, do a Roth conversion, and incur more qualified medical expenses to meet the threshold and qualify for a tax deduction.

Investors should take market volatility as an opportunity to engage in year-end tax planning that includes strategies such as tax-loss harvesting.

Investors should take market volatility as an opportunity to engage in year-end tax planning that includes strategies such as tax-loss harvesting.

Changing a Medigap plan during the open enrollment could be costly for clients, especially when the switch happens outside the initial six-month window.

Target-date funds can be a strong option for most retirement savers, but there are pitfalls. Some of them are relatively costly, with an average expense of about 1%. They can also get too conservative too quickly.

Tell clients in this situation to make sure they know key dates and review their statements to confirm the amounts are accurate.

Tell clients in this situation to make sure they know key dates and review their statements to confirm that the amounts are accurate.

Investments in certain closed-end funds or preferred shares are strategies clients should consider to make their savings last, an industry expert says.

Investments in certain closed-end funds or preferred shares is a strategy clients should consider to make their savings last, an industry expert says.

Investments in certain closed-end funds or preferred shares is a strategy clients should consider to make their savings last, an industry expert says.