A digest of timely information and insight about finance, investing, and retirement.

If you’re planning to retire in 2019, here’s how to prepare | CNBC
If you’re among the millions of older U.S. workers who will retire from full-time work in 2019, now’s a good time to make sure you’re truly prepared. Whether you’re viewing the next phase of life as retirement, semi-retirement or an unknown adventure, experts say the transition should get more than just a passing once-over. As you prepare to say farewell to your coworkers next year and embark on the next leg of life’s journey, experts recommend taking time to make sure you’ve covered all your financial bases.

The two most powerful ways to remain mentally sharp in retirement | Forbes
For many, the greatest fear in retirement — other than not having enough money — is losing your noodle. The good news, though, is that cognitive decline isn’t inevitable. There are ways, according to recent research, to offset mental incapacity. Getting regular exercise and volunteering are both good starting points for your long-term wellness plan.

How to plan for retirement as a “solo ager” | Investopedia
Baby Boomers who are single and childless, known as “solo agers,” face unique retirement planning challenges that need to be addressed. Americans’ approach to aging has rapidly changed in recent years. This is the result of the aging Baby Boomer population, who are entering their 80s and 90s within the next few decades, and longer life expectancies. Medical advances are leading to healthier and more active lifestyles in retirement. There are societal policy implications with these demographic trends, from long-term care to strains on public pensions. And increased divorce rates and lower birth rates are colliding to create financial challenges for a growing number of Americans.

Workers skeptical about Social Security, pension income | PlanSponsor
In today’s retirement age, Social Security and pensions are top sources of income for most retirees. However, as fears of dwindled pension funding and reduced Social Security intensify, those approaching retirement are sourcing alternative income options, says a new LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute (LIMRA SRI) report. According to the report, 49 percent of pre-retirees and 32 percent of younger workers say their post-work life income will emerge from employer-sponsored retirement plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other savings vehicles. Four in 10 pre-retirees and over half (53 percent) of workers ages 40 to 54 believe their primary source of revenue will originate from their 401(k), IRA and additional savings.

As the 401(k) turns 40, we must change how Americans save for retirement | Time
In its first four decades, the 401(k) has lived an unexpectedly glamorous life. At the time of its enactment, lawmakers anticipated that it would exist in obscurity, affecting only a small number of corporate executives. Forty years later, 401(k) has become possibly the most famous section of the Internal Revenue Code, with well over 90 million Americans personally participating in 401(k)s or similar defined contribution plans. But it’s also facing something of a midlife crisis.