Personal Finance Daily: How your retirement plan could change next year

Personal Finance Daily DECEMBER 29, 2011 How your retirement plan could change next year By MarketWatch Don't miss these top stories: Retirement-plan changes coming in 2012  Don't risk your retirement on stocks Make the most of your charitable donations Set big goals for a better 2012 In an election year, lawmakers generally are loath to induce boat-rocking with weighty new laws — such as changes to Social Security benefits — but that doesn't mean your 401(k) or other retirement-savings plan won't change in 2012. Read Robert Powell's column today for a look at the trends likely to affect your retirement next year. Also, don't miss Bob's video interview with Zvi Bodie, a professor of finance at Boston University — and a firm believer that retirement savers are risking far too much in the stock market, at least with the money they need to cover fixed expenses. Bodie offers his tips on where investors should put their retirement savings. And if you're de-cluttering your closets and plan to give away some of your stuff, read Jeanette Pavini's column today to find out how to target your donations so they do the most good for people in need. There are charities out there that want your old eyeglasses, cell phones, office supplies, and DVDs, among other items. — Andrea Coombes , Personal Finance editor Retirement-plan changes coming in 2012 Even though lawmakers may shy away from passing major laws in an election year, 2012 will bring changes to 401(k)s and other retirement plans. Retirement-plan changes coming in 2012. Don't risk your retirement in the stock market Many savers don't realize the risk they're taking in stocks, says Zvi Bodie, author of "Risk Less and Prosper" and finance professor at Boston University. Bodie tells Robert Powell that savers should focus on I-bonds and other low-risk investments.  Video: Don't risk your retirement in the stock market. Make the most of your charitable donations As the New Year approaches, many of us will clean out the clutter in anticipation of a more organized 2012, but instead of dropping off all that stuff at one location, consider donating to charities that are set up to re-purpose specific items — including old eyeglasses, office supplies and DVDs — for people in need. Make the most of your charitable donations. Set big goals for a better 2012 Chuck Jaffe's evolution from making New Year's resolutions to printing up a short list of things to accomplish has focused him on four life goals to make 2012 a better year. Set big goals for a better 2012. How to trim your skyrocketing cable bill Lauren Schuker on The News Hub has some tips on how to trim your cable bill, such as asking your service provider for unadvertised deals.  Video: How to trim your skyrocketing cable bill. Mossberg's most popular reviews of 2011 WSJ's Walt Mossberg on the top 5 most popular reviews of 2011 from HP's touchpad to Apple's iPhone 4S.  Video: Mossberg's most popular reviews of 2011. Living the good life — in Canada Canadians' personal wealth has outstripped Americans' for the first time, writes Bill Mann. Living the good life — in Canada. ECONOMY & POLITICS U.S. jobless claims rise 15,000 to 381,000 Initial filings data end a month-long string of lower claims, and remain at a level indicating modest improvement in the nation's jobs market. U.S. jobless claims rise 15,000 to 381,000. INVESTING Corporate bond returns fall short of Treasurys Corporate bonds, both investment-grade and high-yield, are turning in positive returns this year that are far smaller than their last two years. Corporate bond returns fall short of Treasurys. 10 surprises for 2012 Matthew Lynn predicts what could be awaiting us in the new year. 10 surprises for 2012. The 'Terrible 10' letters of 2011 Peter Brimelow takes a look at the worst-performing investment letters of the year, including hard-asset and China-focused advisers, as well as one from MarketWatch. The 'Terrible 10' letters of 2011. Fill 'er up with Quiznos Things are changing fast at Quiznos, writes Al Lewis, but not always for the better. Fill 'er up with Quiznos. Get the latest news on our mobile site: http://www.marketwatch.com/m MarketWatch has sent you this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. To ensure you receive this newsletter in the future, please add marketwatchmail.com to your list of approved senders. Sent to: kumaresan.selva.blogger@gmail.com Unsubscribe | Subscribe Copyright 2011 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. MarketWatch, the MarketWatch logo, and BigCharts are registered trademarks of MarketWatch, Inc. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy (updated 6/26/07). MarketWatch - Attn: Customer Service, 201 California St., San Francisco, CA 94111