Choosing a mutual fund
Building a broad portfolio is cheaper with mutual funds, but deciding which mutual fund to invest in is tough. Knowing your financial goals and buying a diversity of funds that perform at different levels are keys to success. More

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Disciplined saving
The key to financial independence in retirement is disciplined savings that begins in young adulthood. The first steps in becoming more disciplined are deferred gratification and not meeting living standards above your financial means. More

U.S. Savings rate
The U.S. household savings rate -- the proportion of disposable income saved -- is one of the lowest among the world's developed economies. We're living longer in part due to medical advances, so retirement is lasting longer. Result: we need to save even more. More

Tapping retirement savings penalty-free
If you want to tap your retirement fund early, check with the IRS or your accountant to see if your situation qualifies you to do so without a penalty. Some instances include: buying your first home, paying costly medical expenses and annuity distribution plans. More

Incentive trusts
Incentive trusts allow parents to pass on their inheritance with as many or as few stipulations as they wish. The perfect inheritance should build character and encourage success in life--not meaning that the child has to make a lot of money. More

Tax-deferred annuities
Tax-deferred annuities can be a good source of retirement income for those who don't have a pension plan at work, but best considered after other retirement plans. Annuities are expensive and the variable annuities accrue higher taxes than a mutual fund. More

Asset allocation
Asset allocation can mean the difference between a good portfolio and a great one. The right mix of stocks, bonds, cash, and alternative investments can help ride out stock market changes with less damage to your portfolio. More

Building a mutual fund
Knowing your investing time frame is crucial to building the right mutual fund portfolio. You can afford to invest in riskier, growth-oriented funds if the money will sit for a lengthy period, whereas portfolios held less than five years could end up in the red or just break even. More

Growing your retirement savings
The best way to grow your retirement nest egg is asset allocation-the right mix of stocks, funds, bonds, cash, and other investments to balance risk and return-and to periodically review your asset mix and determine if they're on target. More

Annuity distributions
Typically, if you take money out of an IRA, 401 (k) or pension plan before age 59 ½, you have to pay a 10 percent penalty on top of ordinary income taxes. By turning your retirement plan into an annuity, or "annuity distribution," you can avoid the tax penalty. More

Education IRAs
Education Individual Retirement Accounts have terms different from regular IRAs. Typically you can deposit up to $500 per tax year (January to December) into an account for a child under 18, but this amount is limited by your adjusted gross income. More

Education IRAs
If unused money remains in an Education IRA, you can roll over the account to other family members meeting higher education expenses, or withdraw the money. Keep in mind, the withdrawn money is then subject to income tax and a 10 percent tax penalty. More

Traditional vs. Roth IRA
In a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA), your annual contributions are often tax-deductible and the withdrawals are taxed. In a Roth IRA, your contributions are taxed and your withdrawals are tax-free. Your maximum annual IRA contributions remain at $2000. More

Converting to a Roth IRA
When converting a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a Roth IRA consider how you'll pay the tax on the traditional IRA earnings, which will be taxed as ordinary income. If you need the IRA itself to pay the tax, it may not be best to convert. More

IRA tax deduction
By opening an Individual Retirement Account before April 17, you'll reduce your tax bill. You may be able to deduct your full contribution--up to $2,000--or at least a partial deduction. More

Enhance your passbook savings
People mostly use savings accounts to separate funds, but allow daily access. You can enhance your savings with certificates of deposit and money market accounts. Keep your savings as a 'rainy day' balance so that you don't tap your CD or 401(k). More

Retirement planning
Don't throw your money into a retirement account and forget about it. You need to figure out your retirement goals and plan how to accumulate the money to achieve those goals. Then review and monitor the investments you've made--but not compulsively. More

Countdown to retirement
If you're counting down to retirement, concentrate on getting rid of debt, paying off home loans, looking at insurance options and figuring out realistic budgets that will allow you to live comfortably without depleting your savings. More

Roth 401(k) plans
Roth 401(k) plans allow you to invest money, with your employer often matching the contributions in some way. Your contributions are not tax-deductible, but at retirement, your earnings can be withdrawn tax-free -- the reverse of a traditional 401(k). More

Traditional vs. Roth
IRA Deciding between a Roth and a traditional Individual Retirement Account involves more than whether to pay taxes now or later. Financial institutions--even financial centers on the Internet -- help you determine which plan fits best in your retirement portfolio. More