Consider the following tips to help you take responsibility for your retirement.

1. Set a Goal - "I think I can save $25 a paycheck." It's easy to procrastinate so set up a "painless" payroll deduction for saving. It doesn't matter if the money goes into a 401(k) plan, an IRA or into a plain, old-fashioned savings account, just start saving. Pay yourself now, you'll thank yourself later.
2. Open an IRA - IRAs are easy to get, easy to contribute to and easy to save with. Most Americans can set up an IRA - whether it's a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA - and save on taxes.
3. Learn About Your Retirement Plan - If you are covered under your employer's retirement plan, your former employer is required to give you a plain language explanation of the plan called a "summary plan description." It describes your rights under the retirement plan.
4. Review Your Individual Benefit Statement - Your individual benefit statement shows your total plan benefits and the amount that is vested, or fully owned by you.
5. Sign Up for 401(k) Contributions - If you are covered under a 401(k) plan, you may have to designate the amount of money you want contributed to your 401(k) account.
6. Take Your Required Minimum Distributions - If you are 70-1/2, you are generally required to receive a required minimum amount from your qualified retirement plan or IRA by year-end. This is required since you will be penalized otherwise.

Learn more about Tax Strategies for Retired People by reading the full article.