Once you know your retirement goal, you’ll need to map out the best way to get there.
Coming Monday: Do you have questions about planning for retirement? Ask Helen Huntley, the Times' personal finance writer, in a live chat online Monday at 1:30 p.m. You can submit questions in advance by sending e-mail to chat@tampabay.com And if you can't participate in the live event, a transcript will be available online after 4 p.m.. Sign up to chat now
Finding your way
Once you know your retirement goal, you'll need to map out the best way to get there.
On money
Q. When I left my last job, I rolled over my retirement money to an individual retirement account. Is it better to keep putting money in the IRA or to contribute to the retirement savings plan at my new job?
10 tips
Choosing a financial planner
Getting a ballpark estimate
Are your retirement plans on target?
Capitalize when time is on your side
Young workers can benefit greatly from the power of compounding, but should balance the need to save for retirement against other priorities.
Providing for them, saving for yourself
Saving money for retirement is a challenge at any stage of life, and it is particularly tough during the child-rearing years. Successful savers say two things can help: setting specific goals and increasing retirement savings gradually.
It's never too late to get started
Starting to save seriously for retirement isn't impossible in your 50s, but the longer you wait, the more drastic the course correction that's likely to be required to achieve your goals.
For some, saving now for retirement isn't a priority
The not-yet-investors offer a variety of reasons for not participating in a retirement plan, including day-to-day expenses and lack of discipline.
Assessing how secure Social Security is
Some financial planners think predictions about the demise of the system have been overdone, but many workers aren't taking any chances. They're adopting a self-reliant approach, investing more for their retirement.
Have a health insurance plan in place
At 65, people are eligible for the federal Medicare program or, in some areas, Medicare HMOs. But if you retire before that age and look for medical insurance as an individual, hope that you are healthy and young.
