[jleyank]

You can't, but setting out to save for retirement in a way that you control the funds seems safer than trusting that a big company or the government will provide all that you need. If they do, great, you'll be better off than you think. Other things that should occur is setting up to have paid-off living arrangements and as few debts as possible when the income stream runs down or out. You're the only one responsible for your career, and you have yourself to a small group depending on your decisions.

And for the N American systems, the funds are accessible at any time with probable tax penalties and possibly other fees. Only the defined-benefit pension is out of reach. Each country might define loopholes that permit use of funds for specific purposes - have not checked.