The retirement savings landscape is increasingly cluttered. It includes Social Security, different types of employer-sponsored plans, individual retirement accounts, and taxable accounts.

The next few classes are going to cover the retirement-savings terrain. We'll explore two of the most-popular types of employer-sponsored retirement plans, the 401(k) and the 403(b). Afterward, we'll compare traditional and Roth IRAs.

We'll begin with what is quite possibly the easiest money in retirement planning: the 401(k) plan. If your company offers a 401(k) plan, contribute to it. With a little effort, the payoff can be considerable.

Next: 401(k) Plans Versus Traditional Pensions >>