What is your definition of a good return?

401K thru work has averaged 8.1% since it's inception in 1980. It is diversified as best as possible via the measy 8 stock/bond mutual fund choices offered by my company's plan. This 401K comprises approximately 60% of retirement savings.

Started self-managing personal IRA account (which was established before work started the 401K) thru Ameritrade in 2003. Since then it has averaged 14.8% annual return thru December 2006. IRA has had some real ups and downs during this time (2003-2004 were great, 2005 ok, and 2006 not so good) but overall the return seems decent to me. Recently (late 2005-early 2006) an inheritance added some additional funds which are also being self managed via Ameritrade. These had a poor 2.2% return in 2006. IRA and other Ameritrade accounts comprise approximately 30% of retirement savings. The other 10% is in misc real estate holdings, cash accounts, etc.

FYI - All returns above are after expenses were deducted.

Plan to retire in mid-2007 and am looking for some assistance to ease the stress of doing all my own research and investment decisions.

Target is an 8.7% or better return which would allow my wife and I to reach our retirement income goal without requiring us to use any of our investment equity to subsidize income.

Ameriprise was on my list to talk to .... what have your experiences been with Ameriprise?