Admit it: Whether you're 35 or 65, the prospect of retiring without a mortgage is an attractive one. No more monthly checks to your lender means extra money to spend on having fun once you exit the workforce. After years of punctual principal-and-interest payments, it's the least you deserve, right?

There are several smart ways to retire without a mortgage. We've come up with six that fit a variety of retirement scenarios. Some approaches benefit from an early start -- so if you are able, try to plan ahead. Other mortgage-free-retirement options can be put into effect even if you're close to collecting Social Security.