When stocks are rallying as they are now, investors should exercise caution. The market is up more than 120 percent since early 2009, and the strongest returns may be behind us.

The basic rationale suggests to keep most of your retirement savings in the stock market, because stocks are likely to provide greater long-term growth than bonds. Is that a good idea?

The flow of cash into stock mutual funds during the first week of 2013 was the largest in more than 11 years, stirred in part by the 'fiscal cliff' deal.

Bill Gross's advice: "You should avoid (long-term bonds), and confine your maturities and bond durations to short/intermediate targets supported by Fed policies."

The name George "Gus" Sauter may not ring a bell for most investors. But it probably should, because Sauter may very well have influenced how their retirement funds are invested.

The holidays present an ideal (though often heated) opportunity to have the big family talk about elder care, retirement security and inheritance.

The nation's largest 401(k) administrator said accounts grew by more than 4 percent, with an average balance of $75,900 - the highest since they began tracking data in 2000.