As we all know, the days of lifetime employment and a comfortable retirement plan are long gone. Investing in your retirement today doesn't mean you will suddenly stop working at a certain age as people did in the past. Today retirement is the freedom to do whatever you wish when you get older. If you want to continue working, you can.
Many people do.
When you invest in your retirement you will also have the funds to work less, take vacations or just spend time doing what you like best. While it is never too late to start planning for your retirement you should start as soon as you get your first job. If your company has a 401K plan, join it as soon as you are eligible. Not only can you set aside part of your own salary, but the company will often match a portion of your salary. While it might not be money that you can spend today it is free money that you wouldn't have otherwise.