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 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 3, 2012

Social Security makes a statement with virtual benefit estimates

By Mary Beth Franklin

Important financial planning tool now available online

• retirement & insurance,
• social security

May 1, 2012

Mary Beth Franklin reveals the magic number for claiming Social Security

By Darla Mercado

Secret to getting the most money from Uncle Sam is like the secret of comedy: Timing

• retirement & insurance,
• social security

April 30, 2012

Seven retirement questions all advisers should ask

By Darla Mercado

The answers can prove pivotal in setting up an investment program for clients, says professor

• retirement planning,
• social security

April 29, 2012

Shrunken Social Security figures into advisers' plans

By Darla Mercado

Anticipating a cloudy future for Social Security, many financial advisers are taking steps to de-emphasize the program's place in clients' retirement income plans. “We're telling clients who are over 70 and already receiving benefits that they are probably OK,” said...

• ING Group,
• retirement planning,
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
• social security

April 23, 2012

Social Security will be tapped out sooner than expected, warn Trustees

By Darla Mercado

Program costs of Trust Funds to exceed non-interest income this year; well runs dry by 2033

• retirement & insurance,
• social security

April 15, 2012

Avoiding a retirement 'tax torpedo'

By Mary Beth Franklin

If your clients can wait, here is yet another reason why it can pay to delay claiming Social Security benefits: a smaller tax bite in later years. Income in the early years of retirement that exceeds certain modest levels can trigger a “tax torpedo” that subjects up to...

• retirement planning,
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
• social security,
• tax

April 10, 2012

Secrets of social security: Your questions answered

After a recent appearance on Consuelo Mack's WealthTrack (watch here) discussing Social Security, InvestmentNews contributing editor Mary Beth Franklin quickly received more than 100 inquiries from advisers and investors about strategies and techniques for most effectively tapping this cornerstone of retirement income.

• 3 - Topics,
• retirement & insurance,
• retirement planning,
• social security