[Moneyguy1]

I will also vouch for "government" jobs. After being laid off from aerospace projects four times in three years to "cutbacks" in the late 70s, I got my Master's and went to work for government for 20 years, doing financial planning/real estate on the side. Retired early, moved to the nice warm Southwest and never looked back. Have a modest pension, still do financial planning on the side and stay busy.

Many companies now have changed their retirement plans from a "defined benefit" system ( so many dollars for every year of service based on final average salary) to a "defined contribution" system which, in boom times can be quite nice but is sensitive to the market. One could have accumulated a healthy amount but along comes a year 2000 turndown and a considerable amount of capital is lost and retirement becomes an iffy affair due to the loss of interest/dividend income. And, the tax ramifications of trying to remove the bulk of the money to a "safer" shelter outside the "plan" makes it nearly impossible.

Diversify your investments. The younger you are the more chances you can take. But, if the "plan" has a low risk option, even though it may have low return as well, part of your account should be in this option, increaasing the percentage the closer you get to getting that gold plated watch (do they still do that?)

So there are two types of individuals, (actually it is a sliding scale) from extreme risk takers to those for whom security is paramount. See where you fit on this scale and act accordingly.

One last thing. Start your investments early. Compound interest works wonders. A difference of ten years (starting at 35 vs 45 for example) can result, by age 65, in the low six figure range, aven accounting for modest regular contributions.