Optimists argue that most Americans should have plenty of retirement income; the numbers show they’re wrong, says Alicia Munnell.
RETIRE HERE, NOT THERE
Mimbres Region Arts Council
New Mexico's sunny side
New Mexico has a sunny climate, great golf and stunning vistas, but cooler real-estate prices.
Tennessee:
Low taxes, natural beauty
Retire Here, Not There U.S.: State-by-state
Mimbres Region Arts Council
New Mexico has a sunny climate, great golf and stunning vistas, but cooler real-estate prices.
Tennessee:
Low taxes, natural beauty
Retire Here, Not There U.S.: State-by-state
Overall inflation has remained low in recent years, but other costs are
climbing at a sharper rate. Retirees and those saving for retirement
should consider these strategies to save on food, health care and
travel.
How to retire early —
35 years early
For many Americans, the idea of an early retirement is pure fantasy. But what if retirement saving isn’t as hard as you think? Meet Mr. Money Mustache, aka Pete — who retired when he was 30. And you could do it, too. Here's how.
How to rebalance your portfolio
How much do you need to save?
Write it down, triple your savings
How to retire early —
35 years early
For many Americans, the idea of an early retirement is pure fantasy. But what if retirement saving isn’t as hard as you think? Meet Mr. Money Mustache, aka Pete — who retired when he was 30. And you could do it, too. Here's how.
How to rebalance your portfolio
How much do you need to save?
Write it down, triple your savings
Nelson Sirlin/Shutterstock
Top retirement spots for real-estate investors
Looking to take advantage of the huge wave of new retirees? Consider markets that are considered “retirement hot spots,” places where at least one-third of the population is retirement age or older and housing data looks favorable for investors.
New IRA rollover rule coming in 2015
Some rollovers are simple but beneficiaries have a more intricate set of rules.
Confused about bonds? You’re not alone
Another, better, reason to push off retirement
More from the RetireMentors » 
Dogs help
heart health
The American Heart Association says dog ownership may help us reduce the impact of heart disease.
Are you smarter than a 12th grader?
Raid retirement to pay for college tuition?
Health-care fraud really hurts
Terrence Horan
50 best employers for boomer workers
This list of the 50 best employers for boomers offers enviable perks such as telecommuting, flexible schedules and health-care benefits—plus, they actively recruit and train workers over 50.
The right tools for
job hunters
Do you have an up-to-date modern resume?Encore:
The all-retirement blog
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Why retirements really are at risk -
Who’s more worried about retirement: Men or women?Among people over 55, members of one gender are significantly more likely to be anxious about health-care costs, the effects of aging and other retirement issues.
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Seeking help with Medicare plans? Your options are fewA new study finds ‘substantial limitations’ in the data available to help retirees choose a Medicare Advantage plan.
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Social Security benefits are stingyData from the OECD shows that Social Security benefits are distressingly low compared with pensions in the rest of the developed world.
SLIDE SHOW
10 best cities to retire in
It's not just the weather, but many of the best cities in which to retire are in the sunbelt.
10 best cities to retire in
It's not just the weather, but many of the best cities in which to retire are in the sunbelt.
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RETIREMENT ADVISER SPECIAL REPORT
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New taxes, new tax strategy
The new tax law is forcing retirees to take a closer look at their tax strategies in retirement and, for some, it means big changes in how they save, invest and draw down their resources.
The new tax law is forcing retirees to take a closer look at their tax strategies in retirement and, for some, it means big changes in how they save, invest and draw down their resources.
IRA and Roth perks get better
The American Taxpayer Relief Act—better known as the last-minute “fiscal-cliff deal” in January—brought many new tax rules. A couple of them could prove valuable for investors who own an IRA or Roth IRA.
What you know about taxes is wrong
From taxation of municipal-bond interest to tax rates on the gain from a home sale, taxpayers are confused about what’s taxed and what’s not under the new American Taxpayer Relief Act and other laws.
See the full special reportRetirement income for life
Think inside the box: Here's how to match lifestyle expenses and needs with retirement income sources to support you for life.
What's wrong with the 4% strategy?
When you finally reach your retirement date, one of your first questions will be: How much of my savings can I spend? The rule of thumb for many years was 4%. But that may not be sophisticated enough to meet many retirees' needs.
3 Annuity mistakes to avoid
If you’re comparing annuities to other investment products, you’re making a classic mistake—and it’s just one of a number of errors that consumers and financial experts make when evaluating annuities. Don't let interest rates be a deal-breaker.
RetireMentors:
Advice from professionals
More from MarketWatch
Retire Here, Not There: Virginia
Virginia’s relatively mild climate lures retirees from the North who don’t want to move all the way South. Mountains, beaches, historical attractions and a strong economy are also big draws.
Retire Here,
Not There: California
Here are some less-pricey gems in the expensive Golden State.
What if your pension runs out of money?
As companies' pension liabilities mount, here's what you need to know.
Hold onto your stocks, or sell now?
With markets at record highs, should retirees take their money off the table, or hold on?
10 things your 401(k) plan won't tell you
For most Americans, the quality of their retirement depends a lot on the quality of their 401(k).
Who inherits your iTunes?
What happens to that vast and valuable library of digital music and books when you die?
How student loans can hit Social Security
Thousands of retirees are learning that defaulting on student-debt can threaten their Social Security benefits.
What's the best age for you to retire?
Retiring at the optimal age shouldn’t be left to chance. Here’s a checklist to help you determine when you really want to—and when you should—retire.
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Retire Here, Not There: Virginia
Virginia’s relatively mild climate lures retirees from the North who don’t want to move all the way South. Mountains, beaches, historical attractions and a strong economy are also big draws.
Retire Here,
Not There: California
Here are some less-pricey gems in the expensive Golden State.
What if your pension runs out of money?
As companies' pension liabilities mount, here's what you need to know.
Hold onto your stocks, or sell now?
With markets at record highs, should retirees take their money off the table, or hold on?
10 things your 401(k) plan won't tell you
For most Americans, the quality of their retirement depends a lot on the quality of their 401(k).
Who inherits your iTunes?
What happens to that vast and valuable library of digital music and books when you die?
How student loans can hit Social Security
Thousands of retirees are learning that defaulting on student-debt can threaten their Social Security benefits.
What's the best age for you to retire?
Retiring at the optimal age shouldn’t be left to chance. Here’s a checklist to help you determine when you really want to—and when you should—retire.
