When you close your eyes and imagine your own retirement, what do you see? Most people imagine retirement as a happy time, a reward for a lifetime of hard work, full of possibility and potential.

Many of us look forward to pursuing hobbies and traveling, while others may see the opportunity to go back to school or to start a new career or business.

We have good reason to see retirement in a positive light. After all, Americans are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. In fact, retirement could make up a full third of our lives. Of course, this means that our retirement assets will have to do more for us over a longer period of time.