The American Association of Retired persons found that pension plans' coverage is quite unstable, differing greatly based on ethnicity, age, pay grade, and education.

In addition, the AARP also found that social security benefits are becoming a problem in many countries, as the number of retired persons who receive benefits rise and the number of births fall.

As people who live in troubled economic times, some are not following government advice to save for retirement.

The United States Department of Labor advocates managing a retirement account with the same amount of attention and importance one would give a bank account.

Mr. C did not follow this advice, and his reliance on government and employer-based plans fell through.

He and his wife were both forced to work after retirement.

This cut into the traveling and relaxing plans that he had made.

Now, Mr. C cannot live the lifestyle that he always wanted to live.

If we don't follow the advice that Mr. C refused to take, we will end up just like him -- a retried person still working to pay off our debts.

Transition: Now that you understand the state of our economy, as well as the...

(SATISFACTION or SOLUTION STEP) the solution to this problem is to be sure that each individual has the money to offset the failures of the economy, employer pensions, and social security.
A. The first thing you have to do to offset these failures is to consider how you will get the personal funds necessary for this task.

B. But how are you supposed to come up with all of this money? Are you expected to win a large sum, to receive a large inheritance?

C. No, these aren't realistic goals, but what you can do is save. Yes, saving money is the entire solution to this problem.

D. Saving money for retirement can be much easier than it seems, and it will end up yielding very positive results -- a retirement spent in the comfortable lifestyle that you choose.

1. You can make learning how to save for retirement easy by spending just a few minutes online after checking your e-mail. Visit mymoney.gov, a government web site with tools and articles that make saving for retirement easy, will help you get ready to save.

2. While it is a good place to start, next you can visit