Sound Financial Advice by David McPherson, founder of Four Ponds Financial Planning LLC, Falmouth and Mansfield, Mass.

Catching up

I've fallen behind on posting updates to my recent ABCNews.com columns. Here are links to the two latest columns:

• Cashing Out Retirement the Less Painful Way / July 7, 2009
• It's Never Too Early to Save for Your Kids / July 21, 2009   

I'm looking to return to a more regular posting schedule this week. 

When your employer halts 401(k) contributions

By one count, more than 60 employers have reduced or stopped contributions to employee 401(k) accounts. That's not good in a time when the traditional pension plan has all but disappeared from many companies.

In response, I offer seven suggestions in today's ABCNews.com column on how workers might cope with the damage done to their retirement portfolios by this latest business trend.

Sound Advice newsletter: February edition

It took longer than it should have, but the second edition of my newsletter, Sound Advice, is out finally. Among other things, it touches on increased retirement plan contribution limits, a waiver of required minimum distributions for 2009 and my recent mention in the New York Times.

I hope to follow it up soon with next edition in early March. Click here to become a regular Sound Advice subscriber.

On Daschle and taxes in today's New York Times

I never made it into New York Times during my years as a full-time journalist. But today, Your Money columnist Ron Lieber included my suggestions in a story headlined "How to Avoid a Tom DaschleTax Problem."

The suggestions centered around who should hire a tax pro rather than do their returns themselves.

If you're not a regular reader of Ron's column, I'd suggest checking it out. He offers sound, practical advice that appeals to every-day consumers and investors.

Required minimum distributions waived for 2009

This week for ABCNews.com, I explain the waiver older retirees will receive this year from minimum distributions requirements for 401(k)s, IRAs and other retirement plans. The waiver is a result of legislation enacted late last year in the wake of the stock market collapse during the fall.

The waiver is a small bit of relief for seniors whose investment accounts were decimated by the decline that continues to hang over the market.

One way to avoid taxes on your nest egg

A reader of my ABCNews.com column recently posed a question about whether she could avoid the IRS requirement that she take minimum distributions from her 401(k) plan if she continues to work into her 70s as she intends.

I responded last week that quite likely she could, but she had to do some research about her company's plan first. The tax code allows workers in their 70s to avoid so-called Required Minimum Distributionsfrom a 401(k) plan in certain cases, but individual plans can decide differently.

The previous week's column responding to an Arkansas woman's question about whether she would be forced to work for the rest of the life given the recent market collapse triggered a number of reader comments. Apparently, readers get quite excited when you raise the issue of at what age Americans should retire.

Answering the critics and the questions

Last week, I responded to readers of my ABCNews.com column who left comments and questions in the feedback area of the web site.

My responses addressed the many comments attacking and supporting Teresa Ghilarducci's proposal to shake up the nation's 401(k) system, my suggestion that those lacking a traditional pension consider buying an immediate annuity and my recent columns outlining ways to use a Roth IRA to off set some of the investment losses we've all suffered this year.

Coming in this week's column: Answering questions from readers seeking financial help. 

Paying capital gains on money-losing funds

This week's ABCNews.com column explains why some mutual fund shareholders are facing a tax bill on capital gains despite watching their funds lose more than 40 percent of their value this year. Capital gains payouts on a money-losing fund can be tough to grasp, yet it's reality for many mutual fund investors.

An important point to keep in mind is this problem applies only to mutual funds held in a taxable account. Mutual funds held in an account shielded from taxation, such as an IRA or 401(k), are not subject to taxation on capital gains.

If you own mutual funds in a taxable account, the first thing you should do is to check if your funds are planning a capital gains payout in the next few weeks.

Last week's column, explored the benefits of buying an immediate annuity upon retirement. I like to think of it as buying your own pension.

Catching up on ABCNews.com

Here are links to past ABCNews.com columns that were deleted during a recent blog upgrade:

• Why 401(k)s Matter to Your Job Hunt / Aug. 19, 2008
• Act Now to Get Your Tax Rebate / Aug. 26, 2008
• Bank Failures: Protect Your Cash Now / Sept. 2, 2008 
• Fannie, Freddie and Your Investments / Sept. 9, 2008
• Wall Street Woes: Where to Put Your Cash / Sept. 15, 2008
• Smart Investing in a Market Panic / Sept. 23, 2008
• Protection for Investors: How it Works / Sept. 30, 2008 
• Is Your Money Market Safe? / Oct. 7, 2008
• Is Now the Time to Get Back Into Stocks / Oct. 14, 2008 

Higher taxes ahead? Think Roth

To coincide with Election Day yesterday, I offered a political prediction and a related personal-finance maneuver in this week's ABCNews.com column.The prediction concerned the future direction of federal taxes, and the maneuver suggested involved converting a traditional IRA or other retirement savings plan to a Roth IRA.

The recent collapse in stock market prices makes this a good time to convert to a Roth.