The Smartest Retirement Book You'll Ever Read Hardcover – September 1, 2009

I first read this book over a year ago, having checked it out from the library when I was setting up a rollover IRA. Recently I was helping a relative with their investing, and checked out this book again. I decided to purchase a copy for my own resources. It is concise, easy to understand, and written so that most anyone can understand the concepts. Some reviewers have complained that it is too simple, but that's the point. It is aimed at the general consumer and investor who doesn't want to pay high fees trying to beat the market. I recommend it to anyone who is not completely sure if their investments are in the right assets, or who doesn't understand what their "advisor" has them putting money into. That was the case with my relative. Their retirement funds were being invested in equity-based variable annuities, INSIDE a tax-deferred fund, which is helping their insurance agent's fund but not so good for their own. When they asked me, "Why would he do this?" the best answer I had is that 1) he has no fiduciary responsibility to clients, and 2) these annuities pay high commissions to agents.Anyway, if you don't know what you're investing in nor why, then this is one of a few books I recommend reading before you start throwing money around. Oh yeah, each chapter is about two or three pages long, then ends with a highlighted "point". This is another negative from some reviewers but I really like it.

Lots of short chapters, each dealing with one major point. Good info for the beginning investor about what to do and what to avoid. I agree with most everything in the book, except I don't think there is any problem with ETFs that mimic broad index funds, as it can be cheaper to buy the ETF than to buy the fund (particularly with various companies offering free ETF trades). Also, I think he gave Target-Date funds too much of a pass, as there are a lot of bad Target Date funds that are too expensive or too conservative. He should have beefed up that chapter of the book.

This is such a great book! I have undergraduate and graduate degrees in business so I've taken my fair share of finance classes. I'm also a CPA. Yet everything looks different when it's YOUR OWN MONEY that you need to manage. There are many books about how to prepare for retirement, but not many that address how to invest/distribute your IRAs/tax-deferred savings/other monies that you need for 30+ years. I am rolling over a large tax-deferred company pension into an IRA and was feeling a little overwhelmed with how to distribute the money. But this book has taken away all my fears. He has short chapters that cut to the point, and a caption "What's The Point" at the end of the chapter that sums the chapter up into one sentence. Topics include annuities (and the situation when you might want to get one), how to withdraw your funds (Roth IRA last choice), and the importance of low transaction/expense fees on the investment funds. And at $5.58, it's more than a bargain!

A quick read, and very useful for someone who does not have time to get into a long, boring, complex book on how to invest. Buy it.

I have also read "the smartest investing book you'll ever read", and both offer comparable advice. The bottom line is to skip timing the market and investing in individual stocks, and to invest in index funds. The concept and principles make a lot of sense, although the investor needs to be aware that the timing of when one invests in an index fund will still impact the performance of their portfolio. As I gradually sell my holdings, I am, indeed, shifting to index funds. That speaks more to whether or not I value this book than anything else.If you want to be a daytrader, trying to time the market, or want to make a killing by choosing a superb stock, and don't spend your money on this book. If you want a simple strategy for investing, along with a questionnaire to help you evaluate your own risk tolerance, this book is a good way to go.

The Smartest Retirement Book You'll Ever Read reads like a collection of newspaper articles compiled in a handy book. If you are new to planning for retirement, then this is the book for you. If you have been investing in a 401(k) for 5+ years, then you probably already know 90% of the material. I do feel a bit cheated because of the arrangement of the chapters. There is more white space then I expected. On the plus side, if you have a short attention span, then this book is for you. If you have a 20-24 year old kid just starting out, this would be a great first book. The information is accurate and informative.

There's not much new here, but the advice is simple and helpful. His basic premises are: (1) diversify, (2) invest in exactly the same mutual funds recommended in How a Second Grader Beat the Market, and (3) invest more conservatively as you get older. Investing isn't complicated, but it never hurts to be reminded of the basic wisdom. And, by the way, he sees no reason to use anything but a discount on-line broker. That may be the best advice he gives.

Dan has a gift in the ability to make complex subjects simple and his new book is sensational! Dan does a great job of explaining things like:* Why the biggest risk is not taking any risk.* Why stock picking is for losers.* Why an average return is way above average.* How you should look at spending down your nest egg.* What some prestigious sounding designations really are.* What traps to watch out for, such as the most expensive free meal you'll ever have.Dan leaves us with ten actionable "golden rules" that can help us retire smarter. This book is an easy and fun read. I couldn't put it down!