This story is part of Money magazine's Retirement Guide 2013, where you'll find strategies to guide you through the last stretch, starting at 10 years out, then five years, one year, and, finally, your first year of leisure.

With just five years left before you retire, you need to begin solidifying your plans. Make sure you're still on track, but also nail down where you'll live (the largest expense in retirement) and how you'll meet your health care needs (the second biggest).

What to do

See if you need a course correction. A lot can happen between years 10 and five that could necessitate a change in plans -- including an illness, a job loss, or an extended bear market. Or maybe you just haven't managed to accrue the nine-times-salary savings that would be ideal at this point.

You're not out of luck: You may be able to retire on less than you'd hoped or get to your goal by working longer.

A one-time review with a financial planner who charges by the hour (find one at napfa.org) can be worth the $1,000 or so investment to help you figure out where you stand.

At a minimum, plug your info into T. Rowe Price's Retirement Income Calculator (troweprice.com) to see your chances of retiring with your desired income.

Examine health care costs. Better include an estimate for health insurance and out-of-pocket care costs in your income-needs projections.

If you'll retire before Medicare kicks in at 65, you could have a big expense ahead. For a 62-year-old couple with one spouse in ill health, premiums run up to $2,300 a month on the individual market, according to eHealthInsurance.com.

Exchanges created under the 2010 reforms may reduce costs, but you'll still pay more than you do now. Have an independent agent (find one at nahu.org) price plans for you.

Excerpt from:
Retirement Guide: 5 Years Left? Do This Now

This week is National Save for Retirement Week, an educational campaign to raise public awareness about the importance of long-term retirement planning.

The program, created by bipartisan Congressional action, encourages Americans to utilize retirement savings and investment plan strategies. The week also encourages individuals to reflect on their current financial situations and their potential for a secure retirement in the future.

Below, some surprising statistics and insights on where Americans stand today, as well as their expectations, fears, and hopes about retiring:

There are varying estimates of how much money an individual needs to retire. One guideline suggests $1 million, while another recommends you save 10 times your last annual salary. But theres no one-size-fits-all approach, and youll have to consider a variety of factors to determine whats best for you and your familylike your age and current annual income, desired retirement age and income, and expected annual pension and Social Security. Then, of course, your personal spending habits weigh in.

There are plenty of retirement calculators available, such as CNNMoneys calculator, AARPs retirement predictor, and SmartMoneys retirement planner. Working with a financial adviser can also help determine how much money youll need.

According to a Life Insurance and Market Research Association study, 49 percent of Americans say they arent contributing to any retirement plan. Those least likely to save for retirement: individuals between ages 18 and 34.

What are Americans doing instead? In another survey by Wells Fargo, planning a home remodel and planning a vacation ranked higher on the list of priorities within the past year than planning for retirement (which ranked third).

Apparently 80 is the new 65 for many middle-class Americans when it comes to retirement. One-third of survey respondents plan to delay retirement till age 80 or older, according to a Wells Fargo study of 1,000 adults with income less than $100,000. Thats up from 25 percent who planned to retire at age 80 during last years survey.

Another study by My New Financial Advisor, a service that connects clients with advisers, suggests the average baby boomer will retire at age 75. Some of the top issues preventing an earlier retirement: loss of income, insufficient savings, low returns, high taxes, past-due taxes, and low wage growth.

According to a Wells Fargo study, 70 percent of middle-class Americans arent comfortable investing retirement money in the stock market. When survey respondents were asked what theyd do if given $5,000 to invest for retirement, only 24 percent said theyd invest in stocks compared to 40 percent who would choose a CD or savings account and another 22 percent who would invest in gold or precious metals.

Go here to read the rest:
8 Surprising Truths About Retirement

After retirement, you need to decide whether you should roll over your 401(k) to an IRA. Once you are no longer working at a company, it's often a good idea to move your money to a retirement account that is not tied to your former employer. Here are seven reasons to rollover your 401(k) to an IRA:

Cashing out is a bad idea. On each withdrawal you'll have to pay tax (marginal rate) on the lump sum and a 10 percent penalty if you're under age 59 1/2. It's better to take distributions over many years to minimize the tax. Delaying withdrawals as long as you can also gives your retirement fund more time to grow.

Lower fees. Your 401(k) plan has administrative fees which will cut into your investment returns over the years. If you roll your money over to an IRA, you may be able to avoid paying administrative costs, especially if you don't sign up for investment management at a brokerage. Also, some 401(k) plans will charge an extra maintenance fee once you are no longer an employee. Check with your company to see if this fee applies to your plan.

401(k) changes. Your 401(k) investment choices, trustees, and fees can all change at any time. If you don't work there, you might not get the latest information as quickly as those who do. When these big changes are scheduled to occur, the employer usually holds information sessions to communicate the changes. If you don't work there, these in-person sessions may not be available to you. If you don't pay close attention to your 401(k) statements, you might not even know about the changes until after they occur.

More control. Most 401(k) plans have restrictions. My previous employer will not let me invest the employer contribution portion of my 401(k) account. This portion is invested in a "global diversified" investment that has no ticker. I'm not willing to live with these restrictions once I'm no longer an employee. I want total control of my investments, and that's why I'm in the process of rolling over my 401(k).

Employer stock. It's hard to believe, but many employees still have a large portion of their 401(k) invested in their employer's stock. Some companies invest their employer contribution straight into company stock. This is a bad idea because there are too many eggs in that basket. If your employer goes out of business, you could lose not only your job, but also your retirement savings. Read up on Enron if you think investing in your employer's stock is a good idea.

Better investment choices. Most 401(k) plans have very limited investment choices. Unfortunately, many of these funds are of the high fee and high expense ratio variety. If you roll your money over to an IRA, then you can invest in anything you want to. Some investors might want to invest in individual stocks, and that's easy to do in an IRA. I'm more partial to low-fee Vanguard funds, and I can pick any of them in an IRA.

Consolidate and simplify. Workers who frequently change jobs can end up with several different 401(k) accounts if they don't roll them over into an IRA. It's much easier to check on your investments if they are all in one IRA instead of many 401(k)s. A single IRA also makes it much easier to revamp your investments. You will be surprised at how much in fees you are paying as your 401(k) balance grows. I found out I paid $1,754.91 per year in fees, and that's not acceptable.

There are many things to deal with when you leave your job or career, but don't forget about your retirement account. This could be your largest investment if you work with one employer for a long time.

Joe Udo is planning an exit strategy from his corporate job by reducing expenses and increasing passive income. He blogs about his journey to early retirement at Retire by 40.

See the rest here:
7 Reasons to Rollover Your 401(k) After Retirement

LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares in household products and personal care behemoth Reckitt Benckiser (LSE: RB.L - news) jumped after it produced solid results for the third quarter, with like-for-like net revenue growth of four per cent at constant exchange rates driven by strong growth in emerging markets. It also said it will meet growth expectations.

For the year-to-date (YTD), net revenues of 7,091m were also up 4% on a like-for-like basis. However, if you include the impact of exchange rates, net revenues for the year to date were flat compared with the same period in 2011.

Rakesh Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Reckitt Benckiser's strong third quarter results were underpinned by an excellent performance in emerging markets and an improved performance in Europe North America. Growth came from all core areas and categories. RBP continues to make very good progress with Suboxone sublingual film. I am very pleased that our new strategy and our renewed commitment to managing the business for the long term are showing encouraging results.

"Our results give us the confidence to reiterate our FY 2012 target of like-for-like net revenue growth (excluding its RBP acquisition) of 200bps above our market growth rate. We now expect market growth to be at the top end of the 1-2% range. We continue to expect to maintain full year operating margins."

Europe (Chicago Options: ^REURUSD - news) and North America

In Europe and North America, which delivered 55% of core net revenues, total net revenues YTD decreased to 3,442m with flat like-for-like growth.

Within this geographic area, Gaviscon and Durex delivered strong results for the health division, though this was offset by weakness YTD in seasonal brands such as Mucinex, Strepsils and certain products within Nurofen on the back of a slower start to the 'flu season earlier in the year.

Its Hygiene brands of Lysol and Finish performed strongly, particularly in the US behind new initiatives, such as Lysol Power & Free, Finish Quantum and All-in-1 gel packs and tablets. In the Home category, Vanish shares showed positive momentum, although the market is still down.

Latin America and Asia-Pacific (KSE: 002790.KS - news)

In Latin America and Asia-Pacific, which delivered 28% of core net revenues, total net revenues YTD increased 11% at constant exchange rates to 1,736m, with like-for-like growth of 11%.

Read the rest here:
Reckitt Benckiser sees strong growth in emerging markets - UPDATE

A young cross country runner in California is tearing up courses at a pace never seen before, leading some experts to already proclaim that she may soon be considered one of the great prep runners of all time.

Sarah Baxter crushed the previous course record at the Mt. Sac Invitational Runnerspace

As reported by the Riverside Press-Enterprise, Simi Valley (Calif.) High junior Sarah Baxter won the Mt. SAC Invitational with a blistering time of 16:00. That time obliterated a previous 11-year-old record on the three-mile course -- widely considered one of the toughest in the state and possibly the nation -- by some 16 seconds, leaving area writers and prep track analysts completely agape at the time she turned in.

"[Baxter's 16-minute run is] the most amazing female individual performance in U.S. prep annals," PrepCalTrack.com editor Rich Gonzalez, one of the most respected track analysts on the West Coast, wrote on his website.

"Baxter, already owning the distinction of beating the strongest prep field in U.S. history at last year's Nike Cross Nationals, applied an even grander exclamation point on Saturday. Actually, it was the grandest:

"'Greatest High School Performance Ever.'"

For some sense of just how dominant Baxter's performance was, all one need do is take a glance at her closest competitor. The second-place finisher at the Mt. SAC Invitational was Santa Clarita (Calif.) Golden Valley High star Chelsey Totten, who crossed the finish line at 17:08. That's more than a minute after Baxter finished, across a span of just three miles!

You can see just how long that was in real time in the video of the Mt. SAC finish line directly below, as filmed by Christina Truong.

Baxter has been turning in blazing times in cross country and on the track, but her performance at Mt. SAC was stunning even for her past success. Her prior personal best was a time of 16:41, and she entered the invitational with a goal of topping that time. According to the Ventura County Star, her coach, Roger Evans, told her to try and run a 16:35.

She bettered that by 35 seconds.

Originally posted here:
California teen turns in cross country time called ‘greatest high school performance ever’

LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares in household products and personal care behemoth Reckitt Benckiser (LSE: RB.L - news) jumped after it produced solid results for the third quarter, with like-for-like net revenue growth of four per cent at constant exchange rates driven by strong growth in emerging markets. It also said it will meet growth expectations.

For the year-to-date (YTD), net revenues of 7,091m were also up 4% on a like-for-like basis. However, if you include the impact of exchange rates, net revenues for the year to date were flat compared with the same period in 2011.

Rakesh Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Reckitt Benckiser's strong third quarter results were underpinned by an excellent performance in emerging markets and an improved performance in Europe North America. Growth came from all core areas and categories. RBP continues to make very good progress with Suboxone sublingual film. I am very pleased that our new strategy and our renewed commitment to managing the business for the long term are showing encouraging results.

"Our results give us the confidence to reiterate our FY 2012 target of like-for-like net revenue growth (excluding its RBP acquisition) of 200bps above our market growth rate. We now expect market growth to be at the top end of the 1-2% range. We continue to expect to maintain full year operating margins."

In Europe and North America, which delivered 55% of core net revenues, total net revenues YTD decreased to 3,442m with flat like-for-like growth.

Within this geographic area, Gaviscon and Durex delivered strong results for the health division, though this was offset by weakness YTD in seasonal brands such as Mucinex, Strepsils and certain products within Nurofen on the back of a slower start to the 'flu season earlier in the year.

Its Hygiene brands of Lysol and Finish performed strongly, particularly in the US behind new initiatives, such as Lysol Power & Free, Finish Quantum and All-in-1 gel packs and tablets. In the Home category, Vanish shares showed positive momentum, although the market is still down.

In Latin America and Asia-Pacific (KSE: 002790.KS - news) , which delivered 28% of core net revenues, total net revenues YTD increased 11% at constant exchange rates to 1,736m, with like-for-like growth of 11%.

In Health, Paras brands in India and Durex, particularly in China, grew very strongly. In Hygiene, Dettol, Finish, and Harpic delivered strong growth behind initiatives such as Dettol Daily Care, Re-energize, and High Performance for Men soap and shower gels. Surface cleaners continued to experience good growth across the Area. Vanish and Air Wick performed well in the Home category.

In Russia, the Middle East and Africa, which delivered 17% of core net revenue, total net revenues YTD increased 8% at constant exchange rates to 1,077m with like-for-like growth of 8%.

See original here:
Results Round-up

Equifax research highlights the importance of keeping personal information safe as Get Safe Online Week (22-26 October) launches

(PRWEB UK) 22 October 2012

The reputable organisations that trade online are doing a good job of protecting consumers data and identities, said Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director. But unfortunately there have been a number of scams featuring fake websites and phishing emails that have put consumers at risk. Our research shows that nearly half have regretted, in hindsight, providing more information than they feel happy about. Clearly consumers should only provide personal data where they believe they can fully trust the organisation and the website if they have any doubts, they should abandon the transaction.

Indeed, our research also shows that more than half (56%) of consumers will abandon a transaction if they think theyre being asked for too much personal information. We think that shows that consumers are becoming more knowledgeable about the questions a legitimate website would ask, versus those of a scam site.

This is exactly the sort of issue that is being highlighted by Get Safe Online Week, which starts today. Raising awareness of the risks of online fraud, it is also encouraging people to pass on online safety tips to each other at http://www.getsafeonline.org/. This is a good way to ensure that the websites and emails that dont look genuine get spotted so that consumers dont fall foul of the fraudsters.

In the Equifax commissioned survey of 2,000 UK adults, nearly 40% of consumers said they were happy to part with their personal information for a good deal or online discount, but they need to have confidence in the website or company they are using. And a third of consumers understand why security questions on websites have to be thorough.

Shopping, socialising and banking online is now part of everyday life, with many of us enjoying the convenience and benefits it offers. But people need to protect themselves from the risks, concluded Neil Munroe. The sophistication of online frauds and scams increases by the day, so its vital consumers understand the value of their private information and take precautions to keep ID fraud at bay. We are, therefore, pleased to be supporting Get Safe Online Week which aims to encourage people to think about their personal data and how to look after it.

About Equifax

Equifax is a global leader in consumer, commercial and workforce information solutions, providing businesses of all sizes and consumers with information they can trust. We organize and assimilate data on more than 500 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide, and use advanced analytics and proprietary technology to create and deliver customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Louise Fowler | Clare Watson | Cecile Stearn | Wendy Harrison Equifax 020 8977 9132 Email Information

Read more:
43% of Brits regret giving away too much personal data online

Based upon the design concept of bringing elegance to PCs, Floral Kiss is a new series that was planned and developed primarily under the direction of female employees.

As the first PC to be released under the Floral Kiss brand, Fujitsu will be offering an Ultrabook(TM) developed in an all-out pursuit of elegance, from the size and design of the model to its accessories, mouse, AC adaptor and other peripheral devices, and even to the applications. Featuring the latest Windows 8 OS, a high-performance 3rd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 processor, and 500GB of hard disk space, the new notebook PC's specs are sure to make for a user-friendly experience. It also provides access to My Cloud, Fujitsu's proprietary personal cloud service that will be available as a full-scale service from today.

The new series also includes a model designed in collaboration with the jewelry brand "agete." That model is scheduled to be exhibited at a number of agete's shops.

In recent years, with women accounting for nearly half of PC purchases, the Floral Kiss project was born from the desire of Fujitsu's female employees to create a PC that women would find appealing. The new series, developed under the concept of bringing elegance to all aspects of PC design - from hardware to applications - was created with this aim in mind.

1. Elegant design down to the details

The Floral Kiss series features a unified design sensibility that has been developed for the female consumer - from the PC's design to accessories, such as the mouse and case, and optional add-ons. Users can select their favorite color from among three variations: Elegant White, Feminine Pink and Luxury Brown.

The top casing has been constructed with an elegant and refined gradation with gold trim, and it features a flip latch that can easily open the display - even by users with long fingernails. The power button is adorned with a pearl-like accent, and the power status LED and Caps Lock key are decorated with diamond-cut stone for a sophisticated look. An exquisite gold ring frames each key on the transparent keyboard, highlighting its elegant style. In addition, the outtake and intake vents all feature a floral motif design.

The included AC adaptor and wireless mouse are compact and fit easily into the hands of all users. At the same time, zirconia adornments and other details that give them a stylish appeal.

2. Custom-designed applications

Floral Kiss comes standard with a number of convenient, fun and original applications that users can enjoy in their daily lives.

See the original post here:
Fujitsu Announces New "Floral Kiss" Brand of FMV Personal Computers for Women

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA and SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 22, 2012) - AhnLab (KRX:053800), a leading provider of information security products and services for consumers, today announced the availability of the V3 Click, the industry's first Personal Security Appliance.The V3 Click Home Desktop Edition is a compact portable USB appliance that automatically and easily protects computers against viruses, malware, and a host of Internet security threats, in addition to system tune-up.

The V3 Click solves problems end users' experience with traditional anti-virus and security suite software that is often complicated, expensive and degrades system performance.By simply plugging the V3 Click into a PC's USB port and running a simple set up program, a user's desktop or laptop is completely protected in a matter of minutes.When your PC is infected with malware, V3 Click automatically detects them, and the LED on the V3 Click turns from green to red; clicking the button once isolates and removes the malware automatically.

"For many computer users, data security solutions are complex to install, configure and apply to their systems and if they don't install a piece of security software correctly, these systems can be ineffective," said Philip Kim, CEO, AhnLab."The idea behind the V3 Click was to create a personal security appliance that would simplify the installation of security protection for a PC or laptop, easily detect and remove threats, and review the system performance of a user's computer to ensure maximum operational efficiency.We are delighted with the simplicity and effectiveness of the V3 Click for securing an end user's system at home or at work."

In addition to comprehensive security protecting a consumer's PC or laptop, the V3 Click also provides 2.7 GB of secure storage, allowing consumers an added measure of security to protect sensitive documents like tax returns or contracts.Because of its compact design, its ability to store documents securely and provide comprehensive security to any computer it's connected to, the V3 Click is ideal for college students who connect to the Internet on campus, in classrooms, or coffee shops.

The AhnLab V3 Click Home Desktop Edition features strong anti-virus prevention software and a system tune up solution to optimize computer performance.If a user can plug a USB storage device into their system, they can easily install and run the V3 Click as their personal security appliance.Powered through the PC, the V3 Click protects every system it is attached to.USB key fobs and other devices that connected to PCs and laptops via the USB port make this connector an entry point for malware, viruses and Trojan attacks.The V3 Click's USB connection can stop an attack or infection the second it enters a user's protected system, turning a USB connection into a warning system instead of a point of entry for a security threat.

ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL SPECS

Pricing and Availability The V3 Click has a suggested retail price of $49.99 U.S. List and is available through http://www.ahnlab.com and well as in OfficeMax locations across the North America.http://newmk.v3webhard.com/Sales/Product_Intro/V3Click/Design/an_1981.tif

For more information, contact v3click@ahnlab.com.

About AhnLab

Headquartered in South Korea and with US HQ in San Francisco, AhnLab Inc. (KRX:053800) develops industry-leading security solutions and provides professional services that are designed to secure and protect critical business and personal information. As a leading innovator in the information security arena for more than 20 years, AhnLab' s cutting edge products and services fulfills the stringent security requirements of both enterprises and individual users.

See more here:
AhnLab Debuts V3 Click -- The World's First Advanced Personal Security Device

Ken Wesler had a classic "what have I done moment" when he first saw the two 80-inch monitors purchased for the Strand theater at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center.

Wesler said he thought the monitors, which arrived earlier this month, were too large to be placed on either side of the 1,262-seat theater and would compromise the audience's view of the live performance.

But the high-definition, flat-screen monitors - purchased to enhance the audience's theater experience - fit perfectly and seem smaller than their actual size amid the theater's grand dcor.

Wesler, the theater's president and chief executive officer, said he worked the monitors and their accompanying camera system during the York Symphony Orchestra's

Ken Wesler, president and CEO of the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, enjoys being able to wow concert-goers with the addition of two 80-inch monitors to the Strand experience. The theaters new camera system allows for close-ups of performers to be displayed on the monitors to either side of the stage during shows. (Randy Flaum photo)

He said comments from concert attendees ranged from "wow" to appreciation for being able to see performers' faces and up-close shots of musicians' fingers onscreen.

"We had a guest pianist, and I zoomed in on the piano and you could see how gracefully her fingers moved as she played," Wesler said. "When the trumpet parts came up, I put the trumpet section on the screens so the audience could really see the players."

Photos of composers and artwork associated with their pieces also can be shown on the monitors during the performances of their music, he said.

How it works: Images for the monitors come from three cameras - two hanging near the theater's balcony area and one onstage facing the audience.

"This is especially great for symphony performances, where the conductor's backis to the audience," Wesler said. "Now the audience can see the conductor's face."

See more here:
Strand adds personal touch with new monitors