Retirement

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• Reluctant Retirement Savers May Be Scared Straight by These Stats
  

  What's the best way to motivate Americans to save, invest and prepare for retirement? Some behavioral finance experts suggest using the carrot. Others suggest using the stick. And still others suggest using a combination of carrot and stick.

  
  
• Making the Most of Your 401(k)
  

  Just what is it that you want your retirement dollars to do? As you get closer to your retirement goal, you may want to work on preserving your portfolio. As a result, you may find you no longer want to take on a lot of risk. So think about what you want your investments to do. And if you are now in a position to preserve your wealth, don't be afraid to shift more of your investments to bonds or cash. If your retirement is at least 15 years away, you can probably afford to keep more of your retirement plan in stocks. Focus on solid growth investments, such as large-cap stocks. True, the market is full of wild ups and downs, but you have time on your side. Just don't panic when the inevitable downs come your way (as they have over the past three years). Keep socking it away.

  
  
• The Key 401(k) Pitfalls to Avoid
  

  It's alarming how off-track so many people are with managing their 401(k). From missing out on company matches to overloading on company stock, they're at high risk of never being able to reach a comfortable retirement because of misguided choices. This is more common than you think -- surveys that track 401(k) participant behavior consistently show that far too many continue to make the wrong moves. So consider this my personal GPS navigation system for getting you to your retirement destination on time and in good shape.

  
  
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• Find the Right IRA in Three Easy Steps
  

  Even if you're already convinced you that saving in an IRA is a sensible thing to do, you still have a little bit of research to do. There are two main types of IRA accounts, and selecting the one that's best for you can be a daunting process. Fortunately, you can figure this out in relatively short order by following these three steps.

  
  
• Protecting the Investments of Bad Investors
  

  Asset-Allocation Funds Can Curb Market Timing, Leading to Better Returns Mutual-fund investors can be their own worst enemies, but there is hope for curtailing their errant behavior, according to a study released yesterday. The average mutual-fund investor earns significantly less than fund performance figures suggest, mostly because of their own impatient behavior. But asset-allocation funds can "create a comfort zone" to help protect investors from themselves, according to Dalbar Inc.'s 2007 Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior.

  
  
• For Golden Years, Invest Abroad
  

  How are you planning to spend your retirement? Sailing in the Greek isles? Learning to cook while living in a Tuscan villa? Perfecting your golf game in Scotland? Skiing in the Swiss Alps? Or maybe just lying on the beach in Bali? If your dreams include these or any other exotic adventures, you can't afford to wait until retirement to start exploring the world. It's time to pack your bags now--at least as far as your portfolio is concerned.

  
  
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