Cobb County is considering a plan to increase employee contributions to their retirement plans. Full-time workers who have more than seven years of service will stay in the current pension plan, which is already partially funded by employees. Those who have less than seven years of service can stay in the pension plan or choose a new hybrid plan that is a hybrid of pension and private 401(k)-like plans. New employees will automatically be enrolled in the hybrid plan.

It makes sense that individuals must save to pay for their own futures, though with the market’s shenanigans of the last two years that’s easier said than believed. Very few Americans still have employer-paid pensions, though that may be less true in governments. And there are a lot of good reasons for individuals to pony up, responsibility being key.

I’d like to hear how you are saving for retirement. If you have a 401(k) or similar plan, how much do you contribute? Does your employer match? What is your plan for when you stop working? What do you want to do in retirement? And please tell me your age, to help gauge how close you are to retirement.