The rest of this week's must-read stories include Betterment's robo-adviser for humans, big changes afoot in Social Security, and a focus on picking the right alternatives for clients
Morningstar researcher suggests 30% allocation to annuities - and more equities.
Tips to help make 2014's bill less painful than 2013's
Retirees can only restrict claims to spousal benefits if they wait until their full retirement age to file for benefits.
Basic retirement plans don't cost a lot to set up, can be useful recruitment and retention benefit.
COLA formula was established by law in 1972.
COLA formula was established by law in 1972.
But retirees will still need to prepare for rising health care costs in the long run, expert warns.
Benefits will rise 1.7% next year, coming to about $20 extra per month. Some argue the increase won't even cover health care inflation
On today's <i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i> menu: Investors banking on holiday spending. Plus: Less-secure Social Security, when gold and platinum run in stride, Facebook is now bigger than IBM, and the tired saga on endless office meetings.
Unlike the previous version, the mailed one now highlights full retirement age.
While a lifesaver for some clients, they remain a high-fee trap for many.
On Thursday's <i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i> menu: John Bogle says retirement plans will suffer under active management fees. Plus: Cheap oil's fallout hits gold prices, media hype overstates the Fed's taper tap-out, and more.
Rates tumble as Federal Reserve's easy money policy keeps going
Monday's <i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> How leverage led the market sell-off. Plus: Riding wild markets all the way to the elections, the tragic economics of Ebola, using all the Roth tools, more scary theories from Robert Shiller.
Fights often arise when there are second families; even if peace reigns, putting your wishes on paper alleviates stress
The choice of when and how to claim Social Security benefits can affect the three biggest financial risks that retirees encounter.
Tips for passing your valuable collection on without sparking a feud or drawing Uncle Sam's ire
Only 5% of retirees claim past 67. But taking your Social Security benefits later can offset threats of longevity, inflation, markets downturns.
Economist Robert J. Froehlich runs down the outlook
