Author: Robert Powell, Special to USA TODAY

Not everyone’s an expert on Social Security. But planning ahead and understanding survivor benefits can avoid budget disaster after a spouse’s death.

A target-date fund is a fund of mutual funds that becomes more conservative with time. Here’s what you should know about this retirement saving tool.

Here are guidelines for evaluating and picking funds from a 401(k) plan run by your employer.

Retirement expert Robert Powell tackles your questions on Social Security benefits, purchasing service credits. medicare and health insurance.

It’s a good time to make sure you start the new year off on the right foot – especially when it comes to your retirement accounts.

If you’re like many would-be retirees, you’ll likely “retire from” something – a job or boss you hate – and not “to something.”

As benefits go, few compare with those offered by Social Security to spouses.But what are some mistakes you can make, and how can you avoid them?

I’m trying to decide when to claim Social Security. I am 63 and my wife is 62.

Income taxes can be taxing, so now would be a good time to review some of the ways to cut your bill before it gets too late in the year.