Tax planning

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.

Even though the program was created by a large multinational corporation, companies of all sizes could utilize this approach.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recent studies suggest that although many Americans have boosted their retirement savings, many people remain worried about their future prospects