Should I open a Traditional or Roth IRA?

• Does having a pension and 401(k)s reduce my Social Security benefits?

  I have two 401(k)s and a pension. If I retire at 66, will my Social Security be cut? — A. Gonzalez, Commack, N.Y.

  Your 401(k) withdrawals and your pension in most cases won't reduce your benefits, but your overall income affects whether your Social Security payments will be taxed (a common scenario), and to what degree. The key figure is the sum of your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest—such as from muni MORE

  May 7, 2012 10:30 AM ET
  Posted in: Retirement

• If I get no 401(k) match, should I invest in a Roth IRA instead?

   My company stopped its 401(k) match during the downturn. Should I put money into a Roth IRA instead? I'm 41. — D.R., Westlake, Ohio

  Keep putting money into your 401(k). Remember that even without an employer match, the plan lets you sock away lots of pretax dollars (up to $16,500 this year) that grow tax-deferred — a terrific deal. Because your contributions are automatically withdrawn from your paycheck, 401(k) plans make saving MORE

  May 1, 2012 11:05 AM ET
  Posted in: Family Money, Investing, Retirement, Taxes

• Does it make sense to put a lump sum into a 401(k)?

  Do companies match lump-sum contributions to your 401(k)? If not, does it still make sense to put a lump sum into a 401(k), provided you could still afford to make regular payroll contributions to the plan throughout the year to take advantage of company matches? -- Eric B., Charlotte

  Check with your employer's plan to see what is and isn't permitted. Federal law doesn't govern the speed with which employees can hit MORE

  Apr 27, 2012 5:05 AM ET
  Posted in: Investing, Retirement, Uncategorized

• Should I buy individual bonds or bond funds?

  I have 40% of my portfolio in bond funds. Should I instead buy individual bonds to hold to maturity? — Rick W., Concord, N.H.

  With individual bonds, you know exactly what you'll collect every year and what you'll get back when the bond matures. A fund can't promise that. But buying bonds from a broker can be a problem. "The pricing you'll get is terrible," says Annapolis planner Ted Toal. Institutions buying MORE

  Apr 23, 2012 5:05 AM ET
  Posted in: Investing, Retirement

• What's the best way to consolidate my old 401(k)'s?

  I'm unemployed, and I currently have three 401(k) plans from previous employers. Any advice on how to put all three of them together so I can keep better track of my investments? What should I do with them until I find employment again? -- Name withheld

  Your best option is to roll your three 401(k) plans into one IRA (short for "individual retirement arrangement" or "individual retirement account"). "An IRA will MORE

  Feb 29, 2012 5:52 AM ET
  Posted in: Family Money, Retirement, Uncategorized

• If I quit my job, what can I do with the money in my 457(b)?

  What are my options if I leave an employer when I have invested funds in a 457(b) plan? — J.S., Nashua, N.H.

  So-called 457(b) plans are tax-advantaged retirement programs geared to distinct groups of workers. On the one hand, "public" 457(b) plans cover state and local government workers. Then there are "private" 457(b)s that are made available to employees at tax-exempt organizations, such as hospitals and unions. The rules for what MORE

  Feb 17, 2012 12:00 PM ET
  Posted in: Family Money, Retirement

• What's the best way for high earners to save for retirement?

  My wife and I max out our 401(k)s and gross over $169,000. How else can we save for retirement? — David, West Conshohocken, Pa.

  Even though your income disqualifies you from investing in a deductible or Roth IRA, you each can put $5,000 a year in a nondeductible IRA—$6,000 if you are 50 or older—and then convert the account to a Roth. By shifting that money to a Roth, you can MORE

  Feb 15, 2012 5:05 AM ET
  Posted in: Investing, Retirement

• Should I put less in my retirement plan to fund a Roth?

  I'm 38 years old and single, and I currently contribute about 14% of my $60,000-a-year firefighter salary to my employer-sponsored 457 retirement plan. I'd like to shift some of that to a Roth IRA to diversify the tax consequences when I start withdrawals. My employer doesn't offer a match, so how should I go about splitting the contributions? –Jason Gray, Boulder, Colo.

  The decision to split your retirement money between a MORE

  Dec 9, 2011 5:05 AM ET
  Posted in: Investing, Retirement, Uncategorized

• How should I invest my windfall for retirement?

  My mother recently gifted me $25,000 after she received a huge payment from my father's life insurance. I'm 50, a student on a break until Spring 2012, and not employed. I will be getting married at the end of the year, and my future husband blessedly provides for all my financial needs. Thus, the $25,000 could be invested long-term for retirement. I would appreciate your expert advice on how to MORE

  Nov 18, 2011 5:05 AM ET
  Posted in: Investing, Retirement