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.

Here are the funds that have achieved the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and have low fees.

JPMorgan Europe Dynamic I (JFESX) has a 0.73% expense ratio and 0.6% management fee. JFESX is a Europe - Equity mutual fund investing in stocks across the vast European continent. With yearly returns of 10.13% over the last five years, this fund clearly wins.

Fidelity Advisor Gold M (FGDTX): 1.19% expense ratio and 0.67% management fee. FGDTX 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. FGDTX, with annual returns of 22.28% over the last five years, is a well-diversified fund with a long track record of success.

Artisan Global Value Institutional (APHGX Quick QuoteAPHGX - Free Report) is an attractive large-cap allocation. APHGX is a Global - Equity mutual fund investing in bigger markets like the U.S., Europe, and Japan; these kinds of funds aren't limited by geography. APHGX has an expense ratio of 1.01%, management fee of 0.98%, and annual returns of 12.36% over the past five years.

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.