When you're in your mid-50s and you get crippling arthritis or some other age-related ailment, not being able to retire is going to be a serious problem. Quite

When you're in your mid-50s and you get crippling arthritis or some other age-related ailment, not being able to retire is going to be a serious problem. Quite a few people, particularly in the trades, don't get to choose when they retire -- their health dictates it. Plan to retire, start saving now. Even if you choose to keep working in old age, having a lot of money saved up is a nice thing to have.