What does your ideal retirement look like? Living in a tiny place and eating the senior special at 4:30 p.m. every day, or having a comfortable home and eating dinner whenever you want? You can create the easygoing retirement of your dreams if you know how to take full advantage of the perks available within your tax-advantaged retirement plans.

Setting up your 401(k) contributions isn't rocket science, though it can feel that way, especially to those who aren't sure how much retirement will cost. There isn't a universal magic number, but there are a few pretty simple strategies you can use to come up with your retirement savings number right now.

About half of pension plan participants can choose to take their money in a lump sum when they retire. If you have that choice or are offered a buyout, what’s your best option?

Olympic Gold Medalist, Mia Hamm once said: “my coach said I run like a girl. I said if he ran a little faster, he could too.” With that simple statement, she redefined the word “girl” to mean something more encouraging and inspiring than its historical connotation.

Great news for all you retirement savers out there, the IRS says you will be able to contribute more to your retirement accounts in 2019. These changes to individual retirement accounts like 401(k) plans, Traditional IRAs and even Roth IRA are part of the annual inflation adjustments made by the IRS. Larger retirement contribution can mean lower tax bill. Not to mention more income in retirement.

If ‘save more for retirement’ is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, there’s good news for you in 2018.

Building a healthier financial life means striking a balance between living for today, while preparing for tomorrow.