This Isn't (or, at Least, Shouldn't Be) Your Father's Retirement Plan

It isn't a bad idea to talk to your parents or grandparents about retirement and what worked for them. You probably can learn something from their successes -- and their mistakes.

But if you're thinking about following the exact retirement routine they used -- with the same portfolio mix, income-distribution plan and claiming strategy for Social Security -- you may want to reconsider.

I often warn my clients that getting advice from someone who's been retired for decades is like asking a friend who ate at a restaurant years ago to recommend what you should have for dinner there tonight. The chef and menu may have changed many times, and there may be other delicious dishes to try. You'd be better off consulting