There is never a wrong time to invest in mutual funds for retirement. So, if you're still looking for the best mutual funds, the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank can be a great guide.

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

Columbia Contrarian Core R (CCCRX Quick QuoteCCCRX - Free Report) : 1.23% expense ratio and 0.6% management fee. CCCRX is a Large Cap Value fund. These funds invest in stocks with a market cap of $10 billion of more, but whose share prices do not reflect their intrinsic value. CCCRX has achieved five-year annual returns of an astounding 12.08%.

RBC Emerging Mkts Value Equity I (REMVX): 0.97% expense ratio and 0.8% management fee. REMVX is a part of the Non US - Equity fund category, many of which will focus across all cap levels, and will typically allocate their investments between emerging and developed markets. With yearly returns of 10.06% over the last five years, REMVX is an effectively diversified fund with a long reputation of solidly positive performance.

JHancock Global Shr/Hlder Yld A (JGYAX). Expense ratio: 1.09%. Management fee: 0.8%. Five year annual return: 12.91%. JGYAX is a Global - Equity mutual fund. These funds invest in large markets like the U.S., Europe, and Japan, and operate with very few geographical limitations

We hope that your investment advisor (if you use one) has you invested in one or all of the top-ranked mutual funds we've reviewed. But if that isn't the case, it might be time to have a conversation or reconsider this vitally important relationship.