Of course, as more companies do away with traditional pension plans, fewer people are likely to find themselves in Joe's situation.

"The onus is clearly shifting to the individual to worry about his or her (retirement)," Roger says. "And this is coming at exactly the same time as people are living longer."

For example, one recent Smedley client said his grandfather retired at 65 and died at 72. His father lived about five years longer than that. Now this client is wondering how he will be able to save enough to pay for an even longer retirement.

"Most people do really well planning five years ahead," Roger says. "To look 15, 20 years ahead" is more difficult.

However, Joe, you seem to be on the right track.

"The first thing you really want to look at is the total picture," Roger says. "Do they have substitutes for annuities or bonds through Social Security or pensions? (Joe) is savvy to figure that out."

So go ahead with some aggressive, but not speculative, investments.

And I'll go ahead and keep being jealous.

If you have a financial question, please send it to gkratz@desnews.com or to the Deseret Morning News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110.

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E-mail: gkratz@desnews.com