When it comes to issues that affect Americans' ability to retire, the jury is still out on what the 2012 presidential election will bring. The retirement industry has its own ideas about what would help Americans save more for retirement, including keeping tax incentives for 401(k) plans and keeping Social Security intact, but those wishes don't necessarily mesh with what politicians want.

The Republican candidates for president, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, have struggled to set themselves apart during the primaries. Contentious debates have focused on everything from taxes and the economy to job creation. When it comes to retirement issues, both candidates have been fairly vague.

In his "Believe in America" plan, released last year, Mitt Romney detailed what he hopes to accomplish if he garners the Republican nomination and beats out President Barack Obama in the 2012 election. He stated that he would try to make permanent the lower tax rates for investment income that were put in place by President George W. Bush. Another step would be a "middle class tax savings plan that would enable most Americans to save more for retirement. "