Shell-Shocked Investors Turn to Annuities

(NEWSER) - Now that the financial crisis has destroyed so many nest eggs, many soon-to-be retirees are buying annuities and leaving their kids to fend for themselves, the Wall Street Journal reports. Annuities turn a lump-sum payment into a guaranteed income for life. That’ll provide more peace of mind than living off investment income in an uncertain market, but it leaves nothing for the inheritance. More»

Carl Richards: Financial arguments 'come from surprises'

(NEWSER) - A financial discussion with your spouse can feel like a minefield of emotional surprises. Financial planner Carl Richards advises you to first have "the conversation before the decision gets made," which "can make a huge difference" in your relationship, he writes in the New York Times Bucks blog . Also:

• Limit your spending. "Often our biggest arguments come from surprises," so set a threshold for surprise purchases.

Fidelity releases annual estimate

(NEWSER) - Retiring this year? You and you significant other will need $240,000 for health care expenses, according to Fidelity Investments' latest annual projection. That's up 4% from last year's $230,000 estimate, which is a typical—and actually fairly modest—increase, BusinessWeek reports. Since 2002's $160,000 estimate, the annual figure has increased an average of 6% per year. More»

From debt to 401(k) plans, it's never too late to prepare

(NEWSER) - According to a new survey, only 14% of US workers are very confident they'll be able to retire comfortably—and more than 50% haven't even tried to calculate how much money they'll need. Workers are increasingly planning to keep working past the retirement age—37% said they expected to work after hitting 65, which is up from 11% two decades ago. If all of the above scares you and you want to start planning, Time offers up six myths about retirement saving that you'll need to get past first: More»

Retire cheaply and luxuriously in a new country

(NEWSER) - Who says you have to spend your golden years in the US? Stretch every retirement dollar you've saved by heading overseas. Here are the seven best reasons, courtesy of US News:

• Live on the cheap: Get the most out of your retirement dollars by shipping out to inexpensive destinations such as Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Panama, and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle for $1,000 per month or less.