Retirement and Well-Being

Read the latest from Barron's on how to live well and retire confidently.


Alternative Assets Are Coming for Your 401(k). Do They Deserve the Hype?

Alternative Assets Are Coming for Your 401(k). Do They Deserve the Hype?

‘Pension Envy’ Is Driving Retirement Anxiety Among Gen Xers

‘Pension Envy’ Is Driving Retirement Anxiety Among Gen Xers

The first wave of Gen Xers are worried that healthcare costs and other factors could send them back to work after their formal retirement, a new survey finds.

2 minute read

The Labor Department Wants to Expand Access to Alts in 401(k)s. Financial Advisors Say Change Will Be Slow to Arrive.

The Labor Department Wants to Expand Access to Alts in 401(k)s. Financial Advisors Say Change Will Be Slow to Arrive.

Many advisors expect that alternative investments such as private credit will make up only a limited share of retirement plans’ portfolios if the agency promulgates its proposed rule.

4 minute read

Trump Might Declare Iran Victory. Why Energy Shocks Will Keep Coming.

Trump Might Declare Iran Victory. Why Energy Shocks Will Keep Coming.

Aluminum stocks are soaring, SpaceX IPO could use a little-known loophole, pro football kicks off new deal with American Express, and more news to start your day.

Long Read

The IRS Has Numerous Tax Traps. How to Avoid Them When You File This Year.

The IRS Has Numerous Tax Traps. How to Avoid Them When You File This Year.

Barron’s gives tips for avoiding unfair penalties, withheld refunds, or drawn-out grievances with the IRS.

4 minute read

Retirement Savers, Here’s How to Find a Trusted Advisor

Retirement Savers, Here’s How to Find a Trusted Advisor

A federal rule aiming to protect retirement investors has been officially scrapped. Take these steps to find an advisor you can trust.

4 minute read

How to Make Sure You Have Enough to Retire, No Matter What

How to Make Sure You Have Enough to Retire, No Matter What

Nothing is guaranteed, but financial advisors say these five steps can help clients live financially sound lives after leaving the workforce.

Long Read

Don’t Make This 401(K) Mistake. It’s More Common Than You Think.

Don’t Make This 401(K) Mistake. It’s More Common Than You Think.

About a quarter of Americans with retirement accounts maintain multiple accounts from their past or current jobs.

3 minute read

7 Ways to Overcome the Risks of Retiring Into a Down Stock Market

7 Ways to Overcome the Risks of Retiring Into a Down Stock Market

If retirees are forced to withdraw funds from a declining portfolio, those losses become locked in and can permanently impair long-term financial security.

Long Read

The Fed Expects Inflation to Stay High. Here Are Moves to Make With Your Portfolio.

The Fed Expects Inflation to Stay High. Here Are Moves to Make With Your Portfolio.

Retirees, who are particularly vulnerable to inflation, must shield their investments from major hits.

3 minute read

Courts Pull Plug on Biden-Era Rule Holding Most Financial Advisors to Fiduciary Standard on Retirement Rollovers

Courts Pull Plug on Biden-Era Rule Holding Most Financial Advisors to Fiduciary Standard on Retirement Rollovers

Now advisor recommendations for handling one-time 401(k) rollovers won’t be subject to a fiduciary standard.

4 minute read

Seniors Find College Cheer by Living Close to Campus

Seniors Find College Cheer by Living Close to Campus

There are now around 85 retirement homes in the U.S. with varying ties to universities. Some residents take college classes.

Long Read

Think You Don’t Need a Prenup Before Tying the Knot? Read This.

Think You Don’t Need a Prenup Before Tying the Knot? Read This.

Prenuptial agreements are particularly good idea in second marriages or for anybody who has substantial assets.

Long Read

Tax Refunds Are Bigger This Year. How to Invest It Wisely.

Tax Refunds Are Bigger This Year. How to Invest It Wisely.

Balanced funds and “buffered” ETFs may be good bets in a market being rocked by the Iran war.

4 minute read

How Financial Advisors Coach Clients Who Go Back to Work After Retiring

How Financial Advisors Coach Clients Who Go Back to Work After Retiring

A number of financial planning considerations arise when retirement turns out to be temporary.

Long Read

Social Security Payments Could Get a Boost From Higher Oil Prices, Analyst Says

Social Security Payments Could Get a Boost From Higher Oil Prices, Analyst Says

If higher energy prices persist, they could increase Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment next year.

2 minute read

Tax-Efficient Strategies for Your Mandatory IRA Withdrawals

Tax-Efficient Strategies for Your Mandatory IRA Withdrawals

Four ways to reduce the tax impact of annual IRA required minimum distributions that investors need to start taking by age 73.

3 minute read

How to Visit France on the Cheap, From a French Person

How to Visit France on the Cheap, From a French Person

Barron’s asked a French journalist for insider tips on how to avoid getting fleeced and still soak up plenty of good food and culture this summer.

Long Read

Retirees, Don’t Do Anything Rash With Your Portfolios

Retirees, Don’t Do Anything Rash With Your Portfolios

This market is volatile, but the S&P 500 is still up around 18% over the past 52 weeks.

2 minute read

Prescription Drug Prices Can Break the Bank. How to Get the Best Deals.

Prescription Drug Prices Can Break the Bank. How to Get the Best Deals.

Sites like TrumpRx and retailers like Costco can help. Here’s how else to make the most of your drug coverage and avoid overpaying.

Long Read

Why I Waited Until 70 to Start Collecting Social Security

Why I Waited Until 70 to Start Collecting Social Security

The writer had the means to delay starting Social Security to maximize his benefit. Waiting isn’t for everyone.

4 minute read

Your Trust Is Out of Date. How to Fix It.

Your Trust Is Out of Date. How to Fix It.

With passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025, trusts that were created years ago to shield wealth from onerous federal estate taxes may be unnecessary.

Long Read

54 Million Workers Don’t Have Access to Retirement Benefits. How Trump Plans to Fix That.

54 Million Workers Don’t Have Access to Retirement Benefits. How Trump Plans to Fix That.

President Trump’s plan could mesh with the Savers Match program set for next year, and it appears to be structured similarly to bipartisan legislation.

4 minute read

Retirees, Bonds Aren’t a Sure Bet. Consider These Alternatives.

Retirees, Bonds Aren’t a Sure Bet. Consider These Alternatives.

Annuities and stocks can be better for long-term financial security. How to invest.

4 minute read

Does Your Retirement Plan Own a Piece of Your Favorite Football Team?

Does Your Retirement Plan Own a Piece of Your Favorite Football Team?

The NFL loosened ownership rules in 2024. Private-equity firms and institutions like pension funds are now trying to get a piece of the action.

4 minute read

of 10 pages