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Baby Boomers choosing to retire earlier
Jeremy Hobson Apr 9, 2012
There was one tiny bright spot to March's unemployment report: 164,000 fewer people were looking for work. One particular demographic that has dropped out of the search -- Baby Boomers who are choosing to retire prematurely.
Pension assets are coming back, sort of
Chris Farrell Apr 3, 2012
Yes, public pension plans are ripe for reform. But overhauling these plans is an opportunity to improve pension design for everyone.
Getting Personal: Health care, nursing, and investing
Tess Vigeland Mar 30, 2012
Host Tess Vigeland and David Lazarus from the L.A. Times answer your personal finance queries.
To annuitize or not to annuitize -- with apologies to Shakespeare
Chris Farrell Mar 29, 2012
I am ready to convert my 401(k) into an IRA. I am 61 years old and want to start taking annual distributions. The current balance in the 401(k) is $562,000 and I would like to withdraw 4 percent annually. Fidelity Investments is recommending a Guaranteed Annuity of $400,000 and the remaining in a managed portfolio fund (balanced). The annual fee for annuity is 1.90 percent of the balance and the managed portfolio 1 percent. These are the only fees. There is a 2 percent penalty if withdrawn within the first 5 years. Is this a good option, or should I keep the money in moderate conservative index funds? Emma, Las Cruces, NM
Retirement and working longer
Chris Farrell Mar 29, 2012
"A steadily growing portion of the workforce will continue to work at least part-time well beyond the 'normal' retirement age of 65," says a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation.
Home renovation and retirement
Chris Farrell Mar 26, 2012
Middle-aged homeowners should think about adding features that make it easy to age in place with any home remodeling project.
What goes up must come down
Chris Farrell Mar 22, 2012
"What goes up must come down" was true with dot-com stocks and the residential housing market. Investors should understand that the same fate lies ahead for corporate profits, argues James Montier of the investment management firm GMO.
The role of a fiduciary
Paddy Hirsch Mar 23, 2012
Sr. Producer Paddy Hirsch explains the responsibilities of a fiduciary with a taxi metaphor.
Broken trust: A Ponzi scheme victim bounces back
Paul Sullivan Mar 22, 2012
After falling victim to Ponzi schemer Allen Stanford, Carol Lovil is getting her life back on track. But she worries she may never be able to trust anyone again.
Slow and steady returns
Tara Siegel Bernard Mar 26, 2012
An investment portfolio owes its comeback to diversification and time.
