Retirement may be a long way off for you - or it might be right around the corner.No matter how near or far it is, you've absolutely got to start saving for it now.However, saving for retirement isn't what it used to be with the increase in cost of living and the instability of social security. You have to invest for your retirement, as opposed to saving for it!Let's start by taking a look at the retirement plan offered by your company. Once upon a time, these plans were quite sound.However, after the Enron upset and all that followed, people aren't as secure in their company retirement plans anymore. If you choose not to invest in your company's retirement plan, you do have other options.First, you can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. You do not have to state to anybody that the returns on these investments are to be used for retirement.Just simply let your money grow overtime, and when certain investments reach their maturity, reinvest them and continue to let your money grow.Investing in your financial future is the greatest gift you can give yourself by far.If you aren't sure where to begin or how, perhaps it's time to seek the services of a qualified financial advisor. His advice may prove invaluable and may give you a much more comfortable future than you would have ever imagined left to your own devices.Click this link to arrange a free retirement financial planning consultation with one of our highly ranked financial advisors.