Chuck Saletta

Your lifetime Social Security retirement benefit is expected to be about the same no matter when you start collecting. Still, when you start collecting matters when viewed in the context of your end-to-end retirement plan.

Social Security plays a vital role in the retirement plans of millions of Americans. Staying away from these three mistakes can help you make sure it can do the same for you.

These companies are near the head of the class when it comes to this lucrative employee benefit.

Kinder Morgan has emerged far stronger than it was before its late 2015 dividend cut, and that provides an opportunity for investors.

Dividend stocks can be a great addition to your portfolio, but only if you know what to look for and what to avoid when selecting them.

Companies with shareholder-friendly dividend policies and solid balance sheets deserve special consideration for a retiree's portfolio.

Your Social Security retirement benefit is based on a standardized formula. By changing just a few of the numbers that affect your benefit level, you can increase what you're able to take out of it in retirement.

With a little creative planning, you can enjoy your golden years even with a smaller nest egg.

An individual retirement account is a great tool for building up a nest egg to provide you with the lifestyle you want in your golden years.

The benefits of dividends go far beyond simply the cash in your hand.

These companies share characteristics that investors with somewhat shorter time horizons should appreciate: solid balance sheets, reasonable valuations, and track records of rewarding their shareholders.

There are a handful of potential investments that don't make sense in an IRA, but most stocks, bonds, and real estate investment trusts can be good fits.

The IRS offers you the opportunity to file for an automatic six-month extension if you can't get your paperwork in by April 18, but you still need to get at least 90% of your taxes paid by that time to stay in their good graces.

Opening an IRA is the first step down a path that can net you a substantial nest egg once you retire.

You should still be able to keep your retirement plan on track, even if these predictions come to pass.

The longer you let your money compound, the bigger it can grow.

The average retiree will receive enough from Social Security to keep ahead of the poverty level but not much beyond that.

By contributing to your traditional 401(k) plan, you can save on taxes today and build a nest egg for your future at the same time.

At this point, energy pipeline giant Kinder Morgan does not expect to boost its dividend in 2017, but it is setting itself up for a likely increase to the payout in 2018.

Kinder Morgan, Prudential Financial, and Kroger are three very solid companies that have earned their slots among our household's top holdings.