May 21, 2012

Mary Beth Franklin: Will 401(k) fee disclosure boost index funds?

By Mary Beth Franklin

With plan fiduciaries looking at costs more closely, passively managed funds likely to be attractive

• 401(k),
• retirement planning

May 20, 2012

Dilemma for Ford retirees: Monthly check or lump sum?

By Darla Mercado

About 90,000 white-collar retirees of Ford Motor Co. and the financial advisers who help them are facing a major decision: continue to receive a monthly check from the defined-benefit pension plan or leave the plan by taking a lump sum that the auto giant will likely offer over the next 30 to 60...

• commodities,
• retirement planning

May 20, 2012

No easy fix to withdrawal rates in retirement

Some recent articles in InvestmentNews and SmartMoney, among other publications, have questioned the viability of the “4% rule,” which suggests that a long-term maximum withdrawal of 4% from a client's savings each year in retirement is a prudent rule of thumb....

• commodities,
• retirement planning

May 20, 2012

Young workers want sure things as 401(k) options

By Darla Mercado

Employees in their 20s may have decades of investing ahead, but right now, they are craving access to guaranteed income through their 401(k) plans. Fully 95% of workers under 30 who don't have access to a guaranteed-income option at work would like to be able to do so, according to...

• commodities,
• social security

May 16, 2012

Want a smaller tax bite in retirement? It all depends on where you take income from

By Darla Mercado

Minimizing taxes can go a long way toward prolonging a client's retirement income stream — and it all depends on which accounts are tapped for cash first.The temptation to pull out of a large 401(k) or an individual retirement account may be great for individuals on retirement's doorstep, ...

• 401(k),
• Individual retirement accounts (IRAs),
• social security,
• tax

May 16, 2012

LPL's 401(k) rollover program could boost LPL's rollover capture

By Darla Mercado

New service helps separating workers open IRAs, matches employees with LPL retail advisers

• 401(k),
• Individual retirement accounts (IRAs),
• LPL Financial,
• rollovers

May 16, 2012

Fiduciary champion Hutcheson hit with more charges

By Darla Mercado

Latest suit claims he violated ERISA in alleged $3.2 million theft from retirement plans

• 401(k),
• retirement & insurance

May 15, 2012

Star adviser Evensky on board with retirement specialist designation

By Mary Beth Franklin

Joins Board of Governance of RIIA's retirement income designation program

• retirement & insurance,
• retirement planning

May 14, 2012

Young workers on 401(k) offerings: We want sure things

By Darla Mercado

Gun-shy employees keen on investments that provide guaranteed income; little interest in diversification

• 401(k),
• retirement & insurance,
• retirement planning,
• social security

May 13, 2012

Health becoming new focus of wealth

G uess which financial issue is uppermost in your preretiree clients' minds, yet one that they seldom will discuss with you? The answer — and a huge problem for society as a whole, as well as your clients, in particular — is health care....

• commodities,
• health care,
• retirement planning