Kiplinger's Personal Finance - March 2016

[Pages:2]CONTENTS KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE // FOUNDED 1947

VOL. 70 NO. 3

INVESTING

44 MAKE MONEY AND DO GOOD, TOO

Common wisdom says to expect a modest return on your money if you invest in a socially responsible fund. But our seven fund picks produce results that rival non-SRI funds.

49 7 GREAT LOAD FUNDS WITHOUT THE

LOAD The first rule of DIY investing is never pay a sales charge. Now you can keep the faith and buy these solid funds fee-free through a discount broker.

51 FUNDS THAT LET YOU RIDE TRENDS

Managed futures funds, which trade futures contracts, can make money in down markets as well as up.

54 A LOUSY YEAR FOR STOCKS The bull appeared mortally wounded at year's end. Still, some funds bucked the trend. PLUS: The best funds in 11 categories for one, three, five and 10 years.

53 PRACTICAL INVESTING More lessons

72

on selling, by Kathy Kristof.

IN EVERY ISSUE

8 FROM THE EDITOR More timely fund rankings.

10 LETTERS Social Security squeeze.

AHEAD

15 Topic A: File your return early and beat the ID thieves . . . Where to find investing opportunities in response to climate change . . . Knight Kiplinger on money and ethics.

22 OPENING SHOT My top picks for income, by James K. Glassman.

25 SUCCESS STORY His bikes will give you a boost, by Patricia Mertz Esswein.

ON THE COVER: Photograph by Bonnie Holland Stylist: Leilani Lacson. Hair and makeup: Bethany Ruck. Models: Natalie and Guillermo with CESD.

MONEY // COVER

26 RETIRE RICH Follow our six-step road map to reach a comfortable retirement. Your first move: Steer into your 401(k) account. PLUS: 401(k) alternatives and how to invest down the home stretch.

34 DEBT ISN'T ALWAYS A FOUR-LETTER

WORD Locking in low-interest loans can free up cash for investing and building an emergency fund.

37 DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR

DOCUMENTS ARE? If a vital record has gone missing, here's how to replace it.

40 ASK KIM The pros and cons of 401(k) loans.

41 MORE ABOUT YOUR MONEY Social Security survivor benefits (41). Money manners between friends (42). Joining a gym (42). How to score your financial health (43).

62 INCOME INVESTING The dangers of Fed gazing, by Jeffrey R. Kosnett.

60 MORE ABOUT INVESTING A junk-bond fund refuses to issue redemptions (60). News of the Kiplinger 25 (61).

LIVING

64 GRAB A GREAT DEAL ON A NEW CAR

Dealer showrooms are bursting with enough vehicles to feed America's crossover mania. But with continued low gasoline prices, you may get a better deal on a hybrid model or midsize sedan.

70 TECH Super tablet smackdown! by Kaitlin Pitsker.

71 THE LOWDOWN What you need to know about hotel rewards, by Miriam Cross.

72 THEN AND NOW Life after a season in the spotlight.

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03/2016 KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE

JAMES FOSTER

 LOG ON & EXPLORE

8 Things Boomers Must Know About RMDs From IRAs

The first wave of boomers turns 70? in 2016. Learn the ins and outs of required minimum distributions.

5 TOP

RETIREMENT FEATURES

links/required

Kiplinger's Economic Outlooks Stay ahead with exclusive forecasts of inflation, GDP, jobs and more.

outlooks

Tax Breaks Brought Back to Life Take advantage of these revived credits and deductions.

links/backtolife

QUIZ YOURSELF Is It Tax Deductible?

See how well you can identify legitimate deductions.

links/taxdeductible

INTERACT

1. Worst States for Retirement links/worststates

2. Least Tax-Friendly States for Retirees links/notfriendly

3. State-by-State Guide to Retiree Taxes links/retireetaxmap

4. Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirees links/friendly

5. Cheapest Places You'll Want to Retire links/cheapest

TOOL Calculate Your RMD

Answer two simple questions to determine your mandatory IRA withdrawal.

links/rmd

ONLINE STORE Tax Changes Are Coming!

Don't let 2016 catch you unaware--or worse, unprepared. Claim all the benefits you're entitled to. Discover how in The Kiplinger Tax Letter. Special offer for new subscribers.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU TURN 65

Kim Lankford suggests seven important financial moves for people turning

65 in 2016. Navigating Medicare is just one priority.

RETIREMENT ADVICE FOR WOMEN

Editor Janet Bodnar reveals strategies women

can implement now to improve prospects for a secure retirement.

links/65

links/women

KIM LANKFORD

@Kiplinger

JANET BODNAR

@JanetBodnar

go/getkiptax

HOW TO REACH US: Subscriptions. For inquiries about ordering, billing or renewing a subscription, or to report address changes, please have your mailing label handy to reference your account number and visit us online at customerservice or call 800-544-0155, Monday through Friday between 7 A.M. and midnight, Saturday between 8:30 A.M. and 7 P.M., and Sunday between 10:30 A.M. and 7 P.M. You can also write to Kiplinger's Personal Finance, P.O. Box 62300, Tampa, FL 33662, or e-mail us (personalfinance@ ). Reprints. PARS International Corp. (212-221-9595, ext. 237; e-mail, jennifer.eclipse@). Content licensing. E-mail licensing@. Mailing lists. From time to time we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies whose products may be of interest to you. If you would rather not receive such solicitations, send your mailing label to P.O. Box 62300, Tampa, FL 33662 and instruct us to exclude your name.

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