A customer uses a Bank of America ATM in Los Angeles. The bank plans to start charging a $5 monthly fee for customers who use their debit card for purchases starting early in 2012. ATM transactions would still be free. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images hide caption
NPR's Facebook fans weigh in on how (and whether) they plan to retire. iStockphoto.com hide caption
Figuring out how to approach retirement may require a new strategy. iStockphoto.com hide caption
Social Security has been compared to Ponzi schemes for decades, says Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. In his new book, he lays out ideas for improving the system. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption
A customer uses a Bank of America ATM. Starting next year, using one of the bank's debit cards to make purchases will cost most customers $5 a month. ATMs will still be free. Chuck Burton/AP hide caption
More than half of Americans are at risk of not having enough money for basic expenses in retirement, experts say. iStockphoto.com hide caption
Two-thirds of the country's largest banks no longer offer free checking, according to a survey by Moebs Services. iStockphoto.com hide caption
Gold rings and heirloom jewelry like these pieces displayed in a San Francisco store are fetching record high prices this year. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
According to a new poll by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health, life in retirement is better or the same as it was before, but it is worse for a substantial minority in key areas, including health and finances. David Goldman/AP hide caption
Specialists on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange watch President Obama's televised speech on debt reduction Monday. Obama wants to require investment fund managers to pay at least the same percentage in taxes as middle-income Americans. Richard Drew/AP hide caption