In the new millennium, the standard of living we enjoy in retirement hinges not so much on the largesse of a company pension plan and Social Security, but on how much we take advantage of tax-deferred savings options like 401(k) plans and IRAs and how skillfully we invest our money. Americans are also living longer, staying healthier and remaining more active after they retire.

Retirees are surfing waves and the Net--not to mention launching post-retirement careers. A recent American Association of Retired Persons poll shows that 8 out of 10 baby boomers plan to work full or part time after retiring -- not necessarily because they have to, but because they see work as a way to remain socially engaged and fulfilled. In short, retirement in the next century is a whole new gig that offers more options, but also demands more careful planning on our part to take advantage of those wider vistas.

In the sections that follow in this lesson of the Money 101 series, we'll give you specific advice and strategies that can help you prepare financially for retirement, so that your Golden Years will not only be comfortable, but among the best of your life.

For a quick overview, click on "Top 10 things to know" at the upper left. Or work your way through the "Details" sections for more information on the topics in this lesson (calculators and other interactive features are marked with a symbol). The "Glossary" section provides an online dictionary of important terms. And "Take the test" is a quiz that checks what you've learned and offers suggestions for further study.