 and you are staring down the barrel of your long sought after golden years. It will be here much faster than you thought and how you prepared in advance will determine which retirement you will enjoy. Will it be the one that just happens by chance or will it truly be the one you diligently plan for by choice? What will your retirement salary be when you no longer have a steady paycheck from your career? How will you recreate that paycheck and will it continue to be taxed or did you plan in advance for a tax-free retirement? There are many puzzle pieces to a well-planned retirement and investment returns are only part of the picture.