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Putting money into your retirement account can be as easy as choosing a percentage on the enrollment form you fill out when you join. It can be more challenging if you’re the one deciding how much and when to make your contribution.

Taking money out of your retirement account before you retire isn’t generally a good idea. Withdrawing money from your account early is almost always accompanied by tax penalties and fees. One exception is when you use money you’ve saved to buy your first home — you may pay a modest fee, but you can avoid heavy taxes by doing the withdrawal at the right time.

Staying on top of your retirement money becomes even more important after you retire. Paying attention to tax planning and investment issues are ever-present concerns.