The normal retirement age, to receive full benefits, is age 65 if you were born before 1959. If you were born after 1959, your full retirement age is 67, and increasing incrementally with date of birth. Many people continue to work, at least part-time, as they collect their SSA money. Cut your budget back a bit now, to have a lot more later. Your company benefits department has all the information you need to start and the investment options that are available.
IRAs are one option.
The Keogh plan is another. You can set this up through a mutual fund company or your financial advisor can help you. You will be prompted by a recorder that will take down your name and address. If you speak with a representative, ask for a Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement . After you send in the completed form, you will receive a statement of how much you have been paying into the social security system and what your approximate future benefits will be.