It is never too late to invest in mutual funds for retirement. As such, if you plan to invest in some of the best funds, the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank can provide you with valuable guidance.

The easiest, most reliable way to judge a mutual fund's quality over time is by analyzing its performance, diversification, and fees. The Zacks Mutual Fund Rank, which covers over 19,000 mutual funds, has helped us identify three outstanding options that are perfect for any long-term investors' portfolios that is retirement-focused.

Let's break down some of the mutual funds with the top Zacks Mutual Fund Rank and the lowest fees.

GMO International Intrinsic Value III (GMOIX) has a 0.68% expense ratio and 0.65% management fee. GMOIX is a Non US - Equity fund. Many of these funds like to allocate across emerging and developed markets, and will often focus on all cap levels. With yearly returns of 16.85% over the last five years, this fund clearly wins.

American Funds New Economy 529E (CNGEX Quick QuoteCNGEX - Free Report) . Expense ratio: 1.01%. Management fee: 0.36%. CNGEX is a Global - Equity mutual fund, which invests their assets in large markets, leveraging the global economy. This fund has managed to produce a robust 10.49% over the last five years.

Voya Corporate Leaders Trust Fund B (LEXCX) is an attractive large-cap allocation. LEXCX 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. LEXCX has an expense ratio of 0.46%, management fee of 0%, and annual returns of 13.37% over the past five years.

These examples highlight the fact that there are some astonishingly good mutual funds out there. If your advisor has you in the good ones, bravo! If not, you may need to have a talk.