One-in-four people overestimate their retirement knowledge. How much do you know?

I'm one of the few people I knew in Vietnam who didn't keep a Short-Timer's Calendar. R&R and DEROS sneaked up on me. Really. I was surprised when someone said, "Hey, Lieutenant, aren't you supposed to be on a plane tomorrow?"

Retirement was like that.

Financial success didn't come until I reached my mid-50's and I happily paid taxes overjoyed to have a significant income on which to pay them. Then the realization hit me that I should be putting something away for retirement.

To be honest, I didn't have any better luck holding a job than I did in staying in the Army (mostly for the same reason - I'm unmanageable). However, I achieved great success as an independent consultant and thus, had to provide for retirement on my own.

Sadly, the economy tanked and I was slow to adjust to it.

My savings, though significant in a short time, quickly disappeared.

The bottom line is that my wife and I live/survive on Social Security and her inheritance.

In conclusion, let me advise you that man has no nobler cause than to marry for money.

Love was a happy coincidence...

Enough to know to get a good financial advisor to help. They will help you set up an investment plan which will meet the goals of your retirement objectives. My experience is if you're military, you need two retirements and a TSP/401 or two fat 401s to make it. Most people start too late. Military can start from day one.

6/8, not bad considering I don't do stocks and bonds.