If one of your goals in life is to retire early, now is the time to take the necessary steps to build the proper financial future. Part of this includes utilizing the right types of savings accounts. One thing to keep in mind is that with many types of official retirement accounts, you cannot withdraw the funds until you are 59.5 years of age. Read on to discover what kind of accounts can help you reach your goal of retiring early. 

1. Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is a type of retirement account that you fund with after-tax dollars (money that you have already paid income tax on). This means that once you are 59.5 or older, you can withdraw the earnings tax free.

However, another important characteristic of the Roth IRA is that you can withdraw your contributions to the account at any time, penalty and tax free. Thanks to this trait, the Roth IRA is a must-have account for those who aspire to retire early. Once you reach 59.5, you can begin withdrawing your earnings.

2. Taxable Investing Account

A taxable investing account isn't specifically labeled as a retirement account, but it is a terrific way to prepare for your future. You can withdraw your earnings and contributions at any time, for any reason. Choose from a number of stocks and mutual funds to help grow your savings. Funds that you hold for over a year are taxed at the favorable long term capital gains rate, which is currently 15 percent.

3. Certificate of Deposit

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a type of FDIC-insured account that pays a designated rate of interest for a specific length of time. The term of the CD varies anywhere from a few months to a few years. Though the rate of return usually isn't comparable to the average return of the stock market, it is significantly higher than that of the average bank account. CDs are a terrific, low-risk way to stash your cash without giving up the long-term liquidity.

4. Pay Down Your Debt

Technically, this last option isn't a type of account. However, by paying down your debt, you are reducing the amount of money that you need each month in order to cover your living expenses. Even small payments make a difference when it comes to accelerating your debt payments. For example, depending on your loan's term and interest rate, making a single extra mortgage payment each year can help you pay off your loan three to four years ahead of schedule.

Talk to a financial planning service for more information and ideas.