Retirement planning

4. Think carefully about your State pension: Experts predict that in years to come, while the State pension may still be around, it will hardly buy anything. At the moment the basic state pension is £66.75 for a single person a week, £106.70 for a married couple. The over 80s get an extra 25p per week.

5. There is always help available. The following organisations may be useful:

• The Pensions Advisory Service. Telephone helpline: 020 7233 8080
• Pensions Registry, PO Box 1NN, Newcastle Upon Tyne, N199 1NN. Telelphone: 0191 225 6393 (Helps track down your pension rights from a former employer.)
• Find an independent financial adviser via the IFA Promotion website
• State pensions explained at the Department for Work and Pensions

So now that you know a little more about your retirement options, you just need to start saving. Use these five painless methods:

1. Consider letting your employer do it. If you never see the money, it's not so hard to put it away in retirement accounts. So let your employer do it for you direct from your wage. If you are self-employed, don't wait until the last minute to stash money away.

2. Make retirement a priority when job hunting. When you are looking for a new job, seek out employers with good retirement plans. Employee stock option plans may also provide a great boost to your retirement stash. Those plans let you buy stock at a bargain price, producing instant gains as well as potential future profit if the stock continues to flourish.