All of us have had to deal with higher food and energy prices this year.

But that's a much bigger problem if you're retired and your sole means of support is a fixed amount that arrives each month -- from Social Security and, for the lucky ones, from a pension.

Until recently, USA Today says many retirees figured they had enough income to live on. That was before gas and food prices began racing out of control.

Now, a Principal Financial Group survey found that more than half of retirees were forced to cut their spending this year and an AARP survey found that 59% reported having more trouble paying for food, gas and medicine.

Because inflation had been fairly contained in recent years, it was easy to forget about it. However, though inflation has averaged 3% a year for most of the past 80 years, it also has hovered around 6% for long periods.

Except for the three months ending May 31, the annualized inflation rate topped 6% for food and 28% for energy. (Overall prices during that period rose at a 4.9% rate.)

During periods of high inflation, retirees essentially have two options: Cut back spending or return to work, full- or part-time.

They're doing both. Almost one-quarter of 65-to-74-year-olds are working, a 19% increase from 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If you're still planning for life after work, our 5 steps to saving for retirement can be a big help.

If you're already retired, the order in which you draw down your savings is important. You want to maximize your income by using your least-taxed savings first.

Here are the rules for making your savings last as long as possible.