Preparing for retirement: Steps to take

It all starts with you and your vision for retirement. Explore these key questions to help you define your ideal retirement.

There are lots of things in life you can't control, but saving for your future doesn't have to be one of them. Harness the power of three – time, money and return potential.

It's never too soon to ramp up your savings for your life as a retiree. And one of the best ways to do so is to increase your contributions to your 401(k) – or whatever retirement account you have access to.

The biggest risk you face isn't in the stock market – it's the possibility of not reaching your long-term goals. See how you can balance your comfort with risk against the investment return you need to reach your goals.

Risks are unavoidable, but you can prepare for them. A well-rounded retirement strategy should incorporate expectations for risk, and in some cases, it may make sense to insure against them.

As you approach retirement, you're likely wondering whether what you've saved is enough to last. It's a good question to ask and an important one so that you can have confidence in your retirement plans. See how much you may be able to take from your portfolio.

Money is only part of the picture. Make sure you're also emotionally ready to transition into retirement.

You've planned, dreamed and talked about retiring for decades – and now it's in sight. Use this checklist to help ensure you've taken the appropriate steps to get ready for retirement.