At what point do you add bonds, savings accounts and the like to retirement investing and what do you buy?

As Bill said:
As far as what to invest in - well, there you will get a multitude of answers.

Your own individual situation must determine 'what and when'. Just as an example, Jonathan Pond recommends that a person currently in their 50's, who has saved very little toward retirement, and is trying to do 'catch-up', shouldn't invest in bonds at all. His reasoning is that people in this situation need as much upside potential as possible so that their money might be able to grow quickly, hence 100% equities.

On the other side of the coin: Someone I know personally invested solely in fixed income securities (CDs), until he was 86, at which time he took a small portion of his money and invested in equities. He didn't feel comfortable with anything but fixed income while he was younger. At 86, he felt his portfolio wouldn't have to last him much longer, hence he was willing to take on more risk.

It really is a very individual decision, which should be made after reading lots of recommendations from many quarters and then deciding which suits your investment-style/worry-level best.

2old