Whether
you're just getting started saving for retirement or you're nearing
your target, we name the best tools and recommendations to help you
reach your financial goals.

There's no up-front tax break, but decades of tax-free growth, plus
tax-free income in retirement, make the Roth IRA a winner. And it
offers plenty of escape hatches for other financial goals, such as
buying a first home or paying for college.

In 2007 you can contribute up to $4,000 ($5,000 if you are 50 or
older) as long as your income doesn't exceed $114,000 if you're single
or $166,000 if you're married. Learn more about why you need a Roth IRA.

BEST 401(K) OPTION

Roth 401(k)

Earn too much to contribute to a Roth IRA? Many employers are
offering Roth 401(k)s. As with Roth IRAs, there's no up-front tax
deduction, but withdrawals are tax-free in retirement. And there are no
income-eligibility limits (although workers earning more than $100,000
may not be eligible to contribute the full amount).

As with traditional 401(k)s, employees can kick in up to $15,500
this year, plus an extra $5,000 if they're 50 or older. Find out if a Roth 401(k) is the right choice for you.

It seems everyone is offering these autopilot funds, which invest in
a diversified mix of assets that become more conservative as you near
retirement. But target funds are not all created equal. Ideally, you
want a fund with low fees -- less than 1% per year -- and a substantial
allocation to stocks. We continue to favor funds from T. Rowe Price,
which invest a bigger chunk in the stock market than their competitors
do.

To get started saving for retirement, see our 30-Minute Investing Start-Up Kit.

BEST ONLINE RETIREMENT PLANNING SOURCE

Fidelity Retirement Quick Check

Click on MyPlan Snapshot at Fidelity.com and answer just five
questions -- age, income, monthly savings, current balance and
investment style -- for an instant look at how you're doing, plus
suggestions on how to improve. Fill out the more detailed Quick Check
questionnaire (it takes about 30 minutes) to get a better idea of where
you stand. The service is free to anyone who registers.

Not only can you establish an IRA for a minor, but at Scottrade you
also enjoy one of the lowest minimum investments in the industry: $500.
As long as your child has earned income, he or she can contribute up to
$4,000 a year to an IRA, or up to his or her total earnings, whichever
is less. We suggest a Roth IRA. Learn the rules for opening a Roth IRA for kids.

BEST IRA FOR NEW INVESTORS

Fidelity

Open a SimpleStart IRA and you can avoid the usual $2,500 minimum
investment by setting up an automatic contribution of $200 per month.
There's no annual fee. You can invest in a Fidelity Freedom target-date
fund or choose any of Fidelity's other funds.

Changing jobs or retiring? Roll over your 401(k) or IRA to T. Rowe
Price and you'll get comprehensive investment advice plus annual
reviews for a one-time fee of $250. If you transfer $100,000 or more,
the fee is waived.

BEST LONG-TERM-CARE INSURANCE

John Hancock

Metlife

Neither of these major companies has ever raised premiums for
existing policyholders. Genworth is seeking rate hikes for the first
time since 1974, but it offers the most flexibility in home-care
services.

Learn the ins and outs of long-term-care insurance.

Downtown Seattle, which bubbles with the energy of trendy
restaurants, intimate theaters and funky nightclubs, is attracting the
50-plus crowd to its close-in neighborhoods. And there are plenty of
outdoor activities, such as biking on the 27-mile Burke-Gilman trail,
hiking in the Cascade foothills and boating on Lake Union. Bonus:
Washington has no state income tax.

See our Best Cities package for great places to live in every stage of life.

BEST INSPIRATIONAL RETIREMENT GUIDE

Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life, by Marc Freedman

This book challenges baby-boomers to build a better world through a
second career and provides concrete steps to help them find their next
job.

See "I Flunked Retirement. Twice." for more info on working after retirement.