For most of us, investments drive the major gains in our financial portfolios. During market downturns, they also give back those gains, or occasionally, even lose money. As we get older, however, we need to transition from the growth-based model of investments into the saving-based approach of securing future income for our retirement years. 

The best way to accomplish this task is to develop a comprehensive retirement plan. With this kind of financial planning, we can not only arrive at the right time for us to retire, but know exactly what our monthly income will be when we do.