The world of retirement has changed. With the decline of company pensions and the uncertain future of Social Security, Americans must exercise greater control over their own financial futures with careful planning. Despite this fact, the terrain of retirement remains murky and unexplored for many of us. According to the Department of Labor, fewer than half of Americans have calculated how much they need to save for retirement, and 30% of private sector employees with access to a defined contribution plan do not participate in it. If you have put off planning for your retirement longer than you should, you are far from alone. Taking steps now will allow you to make the most of the working years still ahead and help you to develop a vision of how you will live when they have passed.