Saving for retirement can feel overwhelming and seem impossible. However, with the most efficient retirement plan in place, many investors are comfortable with their financial future. The majority of retirement plans include mutual funds in their primary investment portfolios. A retirement specialist may decide to invest in mutual funds because they serve as a quick and inexpensive way to build a diverse portfolio of stocks and bonds. Additionally, as learned in mutual fund specialist training, this category of investments includes the benefits of professional management. Although many view mutual funds as a safe choice, there are more than 14,000 US-based funds on the market to choose from. Those planning for retirement should trust a professional advisor before investing in any mutual fund.

The median household headed by a person between the ages of 60 and 62 with a 401(k) account has less than one quarter of what is needed to maintain its standard of living during retirement. Even when accounting for Social Security and any other pensions or savings, most 401(k) participants appear to have insufficient savings. This is where investing in mutual funds becomes ideal. According to ICI Research, in the year 2010, mutual funds accounted for $4.7 trillion, or 27 percent, of the $17.5 trillion U.S. retirement market. The $4.7 trillion in mutual fund retirement assets represented 40 percent of all mutual fund assets at year-end 2010. Retirement savings accounts were a significant portion of long-term mutual fund assets (48 percent), but were a relatively minor share of money market fund assets (13 percent). Due to the popularity of mutual funds in IRAs, the range of funds is immense. Mutual funds range from broad-based funds that try to encompass the overall US stock market to industry focused funds, such as energy or pharmaceutical companies.

After completing mutual fund specialist training, a Certified Fund Specialist is able to evaluate and compare financial measurements and benchmarks when constructing a portfolio. During training, specialists will learn modern portfolio theory (MPT). The components are broken down and detailed in terms the advisor can easily convey to a client. Armed with MPT and other selection criteria learned as part of the mutual fund education, a suitable and efficient portfolio using a multitude of funds can be created. Mutual funds serve as a way for people to accumulate wealth to be used once it comes time to retire. Now that baby boomers are approaching retirement age, they are seeking out the assistance of a retirement specialist. The mutual fund industry is focusing attention on the creation of investment products that can create a stream of income to fund retirement.

A secure retirement is something all investors work to achieve. A retirement specialist who has completed mutual fund specialist training has an advantage over other advisors. By combining these two specialties, this type of financial planner is able to do everything in his or her power to develop an elite retirement portfolio. Since choosing mutual funds can be a risky task, trained professional specialists provide clients with a sense of eased relaxation. Through precise selection, planning, and ongoing assessments, clients will be able to design an effective retirement plan that will guarantee them a comfortable retirement.

Cory Bowman is Director of Ops at the Institute of Business Finance. IBF has helped thousands of members of the financial services industry attain designations. For more information about mutual fund specialist training, retirement specialist, visit http://www.icfs.com

Cory Bowman is Director of Ops at the Institute of Business Finance. IBF has helped thousands of members of the financial services industry attain designations. For more information about mutual fund specialist training, retirement specialist, visit http://www.icfs.com

Author Bio: Cory Bowman is Director of Ops at the Institute of Business Finance. IBF has helped thousands of members of the financial services industry attain designations. For more information about mutual fund specialist training, retirement specialist, visit http://www.icfs.com

Category: Finances
Keywords: mutual fund specialist training,retirement specialist