We measure the health of the economy as a whole by a few big numbers — interest rates, which the Federal Reserve raised by three-quarters of a point on Wednesday; gross domestic product, which we learned on Thursday had dropped for a second consecutive quarter; and the stock market, which has been bouncing around for months. But for people working toward retirement, or dreaming of it, the one number that matters most is closer to home: their own retirement savings. And the volatility in the big-picture numbers is connected, of course, to individual plans.The New York Times wanted to know how this uncertain moment is affecting you and how you were managing your retirement savings and investments.Hundreds of you around the world responded to our queries. Some readers had specific questions, such as when to take Social Security. But others, like these six, offered a wider view into their personal circumstances and how they were attempting to find equanimity.At a moment when many feel a disc …
