DESMOINES, Iowa — Pensions are scarce. A greater reliance on 401(k) plans means a secure retirement rests in your hands. But are you in control? Most people don’t pay enough attention to their accounts. They’re also failing to build enough savings. The average 401(k) account balance for people in their 60s was $144,000 at the end of 2009, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Spending some time now thinking about a few key aspects of retirement savings will be worth the effort.

Here are four steps to help take your 401(k) off of auto pilot: