Talking about retirement can be a long way off or just around the corner. You have to start saving for it now, no matter how close or distant it may be. However, with rising living costs and instability in social security, retirement savings are not what they used to be. You have to invest in retirement instead of saving!
Let's start by looking at the pension plan for your company. Once, these plans were very good. It was once upon a time. But people are no longer as safe in their retirement plans after Enron's upheaval and all that followed. You have other options if you choose not to invest in your company's pension plan.
First, you can invest in inventories, bonds, mutual funds, deposit certificates and cash market accounts. You don't have to tell anyone that the return on those investments is to be used for retirement. Allow your money to overtime and reinvest it, and keep your money growing when certain investments reach maturity.
An Individual Account (IRA) can also be opened. IRA's are popular as money is not taxed until the funds have been withdrawn. You can also deduct your IRA taxes from the taxes that you owe. Most banks can open an IRA. A new type of pension account is A ROTH IRA. You pay taxes on the money you invest on your account when you use a Roth, but no federal taxes are required when you cash out. A financial institution can also open the Roth IRA's.
The 401(k) is also a popular pension account type. 401(k's) are usually offered by employers, but you can open a401(k) on your own. You should talk to a financial planner or accountant to help you do this. The Keogh Plan is another type of IRA for self-employed individuals. Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP) may also be of concern to self-employed small business owners. This is another Keogh scheme that is typically easier for people to administer than a regular Keogh scheme.
Make sure you choose your retirement investment! Again, don't rely on social insurance, company pension plans and even legacy that could or couldn't be achieved! Take care of your financial future through the investments of today.