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.
Morningstar's Eric Jacobson outlines three short-term bond funds that can protect against rate sensitivity, but mind the risks as such funds aren't cash substitutes.
Western Asset manager Ryan Brist expects a lot of risk in the corporates market in 2013-14, as banks pare risky lending practices and opportunities to enter or exit the bond market shrink.
TIPS, real estate, and commodities are great inflation-hedging, liquid investments, says Morningstar's David Blanchett, who details the importance of exposure to these assets.
Inflows to municipal bond mutual funds are shrinking, though they remained positive for a fifth straight week, as they recorded $109 million in inflows for the week of Feb. 6.