The newest issue of the Financial Times is out. Here is a summary of some key issues:

Bill Gates got lucky (How you can get lucky too.): For the past decade, Bill Gates has been the richest person in the world. Believe it or not, one of the reasons Bill Gates achieved such financial success is because of luck. A commentary on random chance affects your chances for prosperity, and what you can do to increase the odds.

What’s at the end of your housing curve?: Should you ever want to pay off your mortgage, and own your home free and clear? What about as you approach retirement? Several perspectives on the financial and psychological benefits of life without a mortgage.

Beware of the bear in retirement: When using financial vehicles that deliver fluctuating returns, buy-and-hold may be a suitable long-term approach. But a simple mathematical discussion highlights the difference between accumulation and distribution strategies.

Social Security crisis no longer in the distance: When the first baby boomers start drawing Social Security benefits this January, the dire warnings about the demographic problems plaguing the governmental “security net” are coming closer to reality. How will this crisis be resolved? Besides the political response, what can you do as an individual?

For the full issue on PDF, click here.