According to Fidelity, in order to have a decent shot at maintaining your standard of living in retirement, you should have six to nine times your salary tucked away in a 401(k) or other accounts by your mid-50s to early 60s. This is a good general rule of thumb, however the problem is that many people in this age range don’t come close to that, and some don’t have anything saved at all. Too late to get the ball rolling? Never, says Arielle O'Shea, investing and retirement specialist at...

Barron's Associate Publisher Jack Otter on the rise in U.S. credit card debt and its impact on the economy. If you’re a recent college grad, you’ve likely heard speeches about pursuing your passions and believing in yourself, but you probably haven’t heard much about your credit report. While it isn’t a sexy graduation topic, it is one that can have a giant impact on your future. As you prepare for your next chapter, here’s what you need to know about credit. Why it’s important Qualifying for...

Barron’s Associate Publisher Jack Otter on when retirees should downsize their houses. Early retirement may sound good on paper and may likely make your neighbors envious as they see you head for the golf course most days, but there are downsides that come with the territory. Here are some of the more common ones, according to retirement experts. Out of flux finances Even if you’ve run the numbers to make sure early retirement is financially possible, you may inevitably find yourself spending...

Barron’s Associate Publisher Jack Otter on when retirees should downsize their houses. Google recently unveiled a list of the 10 questions Americans ask most about retirement, according to search data. FOX Business got answers to the top three questions on the list from money and financial planning experts. No. 1: How much do I need to retire? To be financially ready to retire by age 67, you should aim to have 10 times your final salary saved at retirement, says Meghan Murphy, vice president...