CLICK HERE to learn more about FINRA’s suitability rule and what sort of questions you can expect an advisor to ask you.

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy created Investing 101: Investing Basics to provide Americans with thorough information on the various investment products available as well as tips on how to avoid investment fraud.

Click here to visit Investing 101 and learn about securing your finances for retirement.

Currently, there is a knowledge deficit regarding investing among Baby Boomers. According to research by the Insured Retirement Institute, only about 17 percent of Boomers believe that they are extremely or very knowledgeable about making financial investments in securities, such as stocks, bonds, 401(k)s, mutual funds, and other such investment vehicles. Even more alarming, more than 40 percent of Boomers say that they are not very or not at all knowledgeable about making financial investments in securities. Such low levels of understanding of investing – an important indicator for determining future retirement security – suggest that many Boomers are financially unprepared for retirement.

Every investment carries some degree of risk, so it is vital that investors understand where they are putting their money. Some people are naturally inclined to be risk takers, while others are not. Some are financially secure enough to take greater risks with their investments than others. A thorough understanding of investment basics can help Americans determine their risk tolerance. The next step is consulting a financial advisor about how to best invest your assets to create a well-rounded plan for retirement.

To help explain the basics and investing, the coalition has released the Basics of Investing Fact Sheet. Review the fact sheet to learn about investing’s role in planning for a financially secure retirement and become better prepared to meet with a financial advisor about investing for your future.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the Basics of Investing Fact Sheet.

In support of National Financial Literacy Month, April 2013, and the National Retirement Planning Coalition’s ongoing national retirement planning campaign, launched during National Retirement Planning Week® 2013, the U.S. Social Security Administration has released two new videos highlighting the need for Americans to create a financial plan for retirement and the important role Social Security can play in doing so.

Watch these videos for helpful tips on planning for your retirement.

To download a copy of Retirement Resources from Social Security, CLICK HERE.

To view a comprehensive list of Members of Congress who have applauded National Retirement Planning Week® and download their personal letters of support, CLICK HERE.

Social Security forms the foundation upon which Americans build their retirement plans. Because of this key role the program plays it is critical for all Americans to understand how Social Security works.

According to research by the Insured Retirement Institute, 46 percent of Baby Boomers expect Social Security to be a minor source of income in retirement. Yet the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) has found that four-fifths of retirees age 65 and over receive 45 percent or more of their income from Social Security. Also, more and more Boomers are planning on working in retirement, 79 percent in 2013, up 12 percentage points from 2011, according to IRI research. Considering these two statistics, it is likely that Social Security will play a larger role in Boomers’ retirements than they expect, and that to make up for any income shortfall, more Boomers plan to work.

By understanding how much you are currently projected to receive from Social Security under current law, you can begin to put together a sound retirement plan, and identify additional retirement income sources to supplement your Social Security benefits. When you chose to retire and start to collect Social Security benefits has a big impact on the amount you will receive.

The Basics of Social Security Fact Sheet provides a starting point for a conversation with your financial advisor on when is the best time for you to retire.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the Basics of Social Security Fact Sheet.

In a show of support for National Retirement Planning Week® 2013, the U.S. General Services Administration’s Federal Citizen Information Center has released a free packet of retirement planning publications. Culled from an assortment of prominent federal government sources, these publications provide practical and easy-to-understand guidance on personal finance and adequately planning for retirement.

This free publication packet is sponsored by the Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration and General Services Administration.

To order a free hard-copy version of the packet or to download PDF versions of the publications, visit http://promotions.usa.gov/retirement-planning.html.

The National Retirement Planning Coalition has also linked to the PDF versions of the publications below.

Boldly Go to www.socialsecurity.gov

Savings Fitness: A Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future

Taking the Mystery Our of Retirement Planning

When to Start Receiving Benefits

There are a number of factors to consider. In addition to a higher monthly benefit, delaying Social Security can provide:

• Tax advantages, by deferring or reducing taxation on those benefits.
• Spousal advantages, by potentially locking in a higher lifetime benefit for a surviving spouse.
• Inflation protection, which is built into the Social Security program and mitigates one of the biggest risks faced by retirees.

Symetra’s site provides links to a variety of resources, presentations and strategy supporting material from respected industry experts and organizations. Presentations like “Keeping Pace with Retirement Planning: Ready, Set, Delay.” can help consumers put a retirement plan into action and learn how to use the resources that are available to help make the most of delaying Social Security.

In January 2013, the U.S. Social Security Administration launched My Social Security to provide Americans online access to their personal Social Security information. Once you create an account, you can use My Social Security to obtain a copy of your Social Security statement, check your earnings record and see estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you and your family may receive. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can now sign into your account to view, save and print your benefit verification letter, check your benefit payment information, and even change your address and phone number in our records. You also can start or change your direct deposit information.

To create your My Social Security account, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

My Social Security allows Americans to access their personal accounts.