(MONEY Magazine) – COVER STORY 90 PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT MONEY by Clint Willis It's not as safe as you may think. Here's what to do now.

96 AVOIDING A PENSION PLAN RIP-OFF by Beth Kobliner Police your own plan; the odds are that no one else will.

104 THE RIGHT WAY TO SAVE by John Manners Understand this: you can't afford to make mistakes.

FEATURES 112 THE SAFEST BONDS by Marsha Meyer Intermediate-term bonds offer the highest returns with the least risk, whether in funds or as individual issues.

116 THE BEST HOLIDAY DEALS by Kerry Hannon Museum shops offer the season's top gift values.

128 TAX-CUTTING WAYS TO GIVE TO KIDS by Teresa Tritch You can pick from among direct gifts, custodial accounts or trusts. The right choice will bring sizable savings.

SPECIAL REPORT 148 GET A GREAT CAR VALUE by Jerry Edgerton These strategies will pay off big in today's market. -- When leasing makes sense. Page 150

158 SAVE $1,000 ON AUTO INSURANCE by Kerry Hannon Top tip: don't buy protection you don't need. -- Table: Prices to beat in 20 metro areas. Page 160

173 THE MONEY CAR COST RATINGS by Jerry Edgerton You need to know the hidden costs as well as the car's price. It's all here for 522 brand-new '92 models. -- Exclusive: 10 pages of prices and markups. Page 177

DEPARTMENTS EDITOR'S NOTES Tips from a candid car salesman. Page 7

YOUR LETTERS The fury of your civic pride. Page 11

MONEY FORECAST The case for stocks. Page 23

MONEY SCORECARD Your top savings and borrowing deals as rates decline. Page 25

MONEY UPDATE Best home-equity loans; dialing 900 to get a pro's help. Page 39

MONEY HELPS Marlys Harris fields your questions. Page 55

FUND WATCH Beat the new risks in money funds. Page 61

WALL STREET Five favorite regional stocks. Page 79

TRAVEL WISE Save 50% on year-end bargains. Page 205

MONEY PRO Stocks for a sinking market. Page 211

CHECK IT OUT Page 218

Cover and contents photographs by John Abbott