Thanks for writing this introductory page. A few comments for debate or clarification:On annuities: One strategy that may make sense for cautious people is to buy a fixed immediate annuity at retirement with only a part of their assets (a third, for example). This will give them a fixed and reliable income stream, and in turn may (psychologically) free them up to put the remainder of their assets in higher-return investments such as stocks.
On real assets: Your investment choices here are much better than they used to be, and include choices you didn't mention such as the new availability of ETFs that are based on real assets such as metals, commodities, etc. These should only be used for a small fraction of your asset allocation mix, but are useful for further diversification. (Despite the fact that many are currently using them for speculation right now.) The REIT comments are right on the money, and I think everyone should have REITs in their asset mix except for people who own income-producing real estate directly.
On mutual fund companies: "criminally minded" might be a bit much, and you have painted with too broad a brush, but I agree about Vanguard and TIAA/CREF. The DFA funds are a quite different beast but also could be included for their intelligent approach and reasonable (overall) fee structure.
Longleaf Partners Fund, which you mention specifically, have now reopened to new investors. Also in the same trustworthy vein are Dodge & Cox which just re-opened their stock fund, and any of the funds at Third Avenue.
-- Tim Rowles, June 11, 2008