It's nearly Easter and what better time for taking steps to sort out your retirement nest egg. No matter your age, it's never too soon (or too late) to hatch a money plan that will help you to enjoy the lifestyle you want in retirement. Life expectancy has risen as our quality of life improves and on average, a 65-year-old man can expect to live until they are 85 and a woman until they are 89. The majority of New Zealanders end up relying on the government pension (NZ Super) and their savings for income during retirement. There's no 'rule' about how much you need to save for retirement because everyone is different, but putting aside some of the money you earn now will make your retirement nest egg that much more cosy. To work out how much you'll need, think about these questions: When would you like to stop working? What sort of lifestyle would you like in retirement? How does that compare to your current lifestyle? Will you live in your own home or rent? If you retire at 65 you will need to have a plan that provides the income you want for at least 20 years. Any retirement plan should include the goal to be debt-free by retirement. Pay off 'dumb debt' (high-interest debt such as unpaid credit cards, and hire purchase that's no longer interest-free) as soon as possible and avoid acquiring any more. Focus on becoming mortgage-free as soon as possible and definitely by