Investing in mutual funds for retirement is never too late. And the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank can be an excellent tool for investors looking to invest in the best funds.

The easiest way to judge a mutual fund's quality over time is by analyzing its performance, diversification, and fees. Using the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of over 19,000 mutual funds, we've identified three outstanding mutual funds that are ideally suited to help long-term investors pursue and achieve their retirement investing goals.

Let's learn about some of Zacks' highest ranked mutual funds with low fees you may want to consider.

Van Eck International Investors Gold Y (INIYX): 1.09% expense ratio and 0.72% management fee. INIYX is classified as a Sector - Precious Metal fund, and these mutual funds invest in stocks with a focus on the mining and production of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. INIYX has achieved five-year annual returns of an astounding 33.08%.

American Funds Wash Mutl Invs 529F2 (FWMMX): 0.35% expense ratio and 0.22% management fee. FWMMX is part of the Large Cap Blend section, and these mutual funds most often invest in firms with a market capitalization of $10 billion or more. By investing in bigger companies, these funds offer more stability, and are often well-suited for investors with a "buy and hold" mindset. With yearly returns of 14.19% over the last five years, FWMMX is an effectively diversified fund with a long reputation of solidly positive performance.

Fidelity Adv Small Cap Value Z (FIKNX Quick QuoteFIKNX - Free Report) . Expense ratio: 0.84%. Management fee: 0.83%. Five year annual return: 9.59%. FIKNX is a Small Cap Value fund, and these funds are known for investing in companies with market caps under $2 billion.

There you have it. If your financial advisor had you put your money into any of our top-ranked funds, then they've got you covered. If not, you may need to talk.