"I know I'm probably not saving enough for retirement, but I don't know what my next step should be." Ivan Tuning up the family vehicle Like others his age, Ivan is entering his peak earning years. Ivan and his wife are facing college costs for their three children and retiring in 15 or 20 years. Will they recover from the market drop and build up enough money to do what they need? Peak earning years are the time to take advantage of maximum contribution limits to build your retirement savings. Despite market losses, Ivan and his wife have a realistic opportunity to build a secure retirement. Here are some driving tips: > Start your vehicle. Starting up your employer's retirement savings plan is a simple and powerful way to build retirement savings. > Rebalance the wheels. If your portfolio was, let's say, 60% stocks and 40% cash and bonds two years ago, the recent market turmoil may have changed those percentages. Your VALIC financial advisor can help you rebalance and get your allocations back where you want them. > Steer clear of accidents. When markets get hit, investors make two mistakes: They cut back on retirement contributions and they go conservative -- from stocks into cash for instance. Getting out means missing any market recovery. > Driver's ed. Funding your retirement should take priority over paying for a child's education. Student loans, work-study programs, grants and scholarships are available for college, but not for retirement. Ivan and his wife plan to pay part of their children's college costs. They have several options with varying tax advantages including: 529 College Savings Plans Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA) U.S. Savings Bonds Recommended maintenance Online calculators: Click here to use VALIC's array of online calculators to see if your retirement savings plan is on track, prepare to fund your child's college education, reach a personal savings goal and more. The Financial 360SM Plan provides an analysis of investment efficiency and its effect on an individual's likelihood of achieving retirement goals. The plan seeks to answer five concerns facing those planning for retirement. Inflation risk the rising cost of goods and services Longevity risk the potential of outliving assets Investment risk loss brought about by market volatility Healthcare risk the rising cost of healthcare services Withdrawal risk using unsustainable distribution rate/emergencies