Retiring, in the sense of not just stopping working but actually having the resources to enjoy oneself, is not possible for everyone.

In order to retire, you need one (or both) of two things:-

• Time
• Assets

So if a person is 35 and they plan to retire at 55, and they have no savings, that is not necessarily a problem. They still have time to build up some savings. (But if you have no savings at age 35, that is not a good sign...)

Equally, if a person reaches age 55 with substantial savings, they can retire. It's their money to do with what they wish.

What about if you don't have either time or retirement assets? Perhaps you have some assets that you are not thinking of...? You may have paid into a pension with an old employer that you forgot about, or into social security... Although it should be seen as a last resort, if you own real estate, such as your primary residence, that can also be monetized.

What if you don't have any assets - you never contributed to a pension or 401K, you rent your home and you did gig work that was not eligible for social security? Well, quite simply, if you don't have assets then you need time. You will have to keep working and you will have to start saving. Otherwise, who is going to pay for your retirement?

Here's how you start saving - well, you just start. Do it now. Save 10% of your salary this month, and keep saving it for one year. Is 10% going to be enough? Maybe not, but you have to start somewhere and once you have proved to yourself that you can save, you can take it from there.

Once you get into the habit of saving, there are many websites and sources of advice that will encourage you to do more. Here's one of the most famous ones -- Mr Money Mustache

But what about if it doesn't work out? You start saving but "events get in the way" in month 8 (or even month 2!). Or you can't even start. Then you are not a saver. Be realistic about it. Maybe it's a limitation but, if you still have some time, it is not an impossible one.

People who are not savers have two choices:-

1. Do not retire (ever) and keep on working
2. Get a job with a "traditional" pension"

Option 1 is not a choice many people consciously make, but it's a choice. Unfortunately, if bad health gets in the way, it may not work out.

Option 2 effectively lets your employer save for you, and pay you a salary in retirement based on how many years you worked. This sounds like a great deal, but if you talk to many people (even many financial advisers), they will tell you that option 1 is not an option any more. The media is full of reports that pensions are "going away" and incredibly hard to find. There is truth in that, but if you are not a saver and you want to retire, you need to get one.

And here's the thing. I have one. Members of Congress have one. A lot of smart people have a pension, including the very people who are on TV bemoaning the "fact" that there are "no more pensions" (i.e. Professors and politicians!). Police and firemen have one. Why do you think those jobs are so valued and people are so keen to keep them within the family and their other circles?

Here are some ideas from US News on how to get a job with a pension -- Jobs with pensions. There are 10 huge industries and/or professions here - if you want it bad enough you can get into one of them. And remember, you don't just want a pension. If you are not a saver, and you want to retire, you need a pension.

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