Low bond yields have called into question the safety of the 4% withdrawal strategy, while other avenues for extra retirement income have their own pros and cons, says Morningstar's David Blanchett.
Although we're unlikely to face a worst-case scenario on the debt ceiling debate, it's important for investors to understand the potential consequences.
Interest rates may continue at low levels for quite awhile with deflation being a live risk, says Roger Bootle, author and managing director of Capital Economics.
Relative to their categories, Fidelity's stock funds generally fared better than its fixed-income portfolios last year, but several funds in both camps have good long-term prospects.