How can I plan for retirement if my employer doesn't offer retirement benefits? Answer: How can I plan for retirement if my employer doesnt offer retirement benefits? A majority of the 60 million Americans who dont qualify for pension benefits are women. A PBS To the Contrary report revealed that more than one woman in four lives in poverty because she depends on Social Security for her only retirement income. You can avoid running short in retirement, even if your employer doesnt offer a pension plan or 401(k). In many cases, your first step should be to open an IRA In many cases, your first step should be to open an IRA and contribute as much as you possibly can each year. Because of tax-deferred, compounded earnings, IRAs offer similar long-term growth opportunities as employer-sponsored plans. In addition, you may qualify for tax-deductible contributions or tax-free withdrawals, depending on whether you invest in a regular IRA or a Roth IRA. Another tax-advantaged option to consider is annuities. Generally purchased with a life insurance company, a typical annuity features tax-deferred growth and provides either fixed or variable payments beginning at some future time (usually retirement). Depending on the type of annuity, you may have several options in how you ultimately take distributions. Finally, don't forget about traditional investments (e.g., stocks, bonds, mutual funds). Most of these vehicles are taxable, but they can still help you save a bundle over the long term. The specific types of investments you select will depend on your risk tolerance, time horizons, liquidity needs, and goals for retirement. A financial planner can help you construct a portfolio that makes sense for you.