For others retirement is a long way to go but for some it is just a few seasons to go. A retirement just around the corner or a long way from now does not matter if you have enough retirement savings for your retirement. With the increase in living expenses and unstable social security, there is a big difference in saving for your retirement compare several years before. Now you have to make investments for retirement instead of saving for it. Retirement plans offered by companies were once attractive and substantial but now most people does not feel secured by their company plans. There are other options if you opt out of company's retirement plans.
You can have your money invested in the stock market, mutual funds, bonds, certificate of deposits, and money market accounts. There are risk involved but you can find investments where you can safely make you money grow overtime. Reinvest your money once it has reached its maturity to continue its growth.
You also have the choice of opening an Individual Retirement Account where your money is not taxed until your funds are withdrawn. If you owe some tax, you can subtract your IRA from those taxes. You can open an IRA at any bank but a new type called Roth IRA can be opened at financial institutions. With Roth IRA the taxes are paid from the money you put in the fund and there are no federal taxes owed when you withdraw your funds.
A 401(k) is another popular option for your retirement. It is mostly offered by employers but you can get one on your own. Find a financial planner to help you. If you are self-employed, there are a number of choices. A Keogh plan which is a type of IRA can be suitable or a Simplified Employee Pension Plans which is easier to handle than the typical Keogh plan.
Be sure to choose one retirement plan you are interested in and don't just depend on you social security or your company. Take hold of your retirement by investing now.