Retirement Retirement Planning

8 Financial New Year's Resolutions That Could Get You Retired by 2030

Smart moves in the next couple of years could help you retire by 2030.

By Sarah Sharkey , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Jan. 1, 2026

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Planning for retirement can feel like landing a plane. After working for decades, you might be ready to leave the working world behind. If you are ready to jump into retirement by 2030, the right money moves could help you set up a stress-free retirement.

Here are some of the top financial resolutions to make this New Year if you want to retire in the near future.

Set up direct deposit - pocket $400

Set up an eligible direct deposit with SoFi Checking and Savings and you could pocket a bonus of up to $400. Make the switch, set up direct deposit, earn the bonus. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following these steps.

Why people are switching: This account earns up to an insane 4.00% APY¹ Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. on savings for up to six months (3.10% APY standard + 0.90% APY boost) on top of that $50 or $400 bonus.² New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a> That's way better than the measly 0.38% APY (as of 06/15/26)³ Based on <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/national-rates-and-rate-caps">this</a> FDIC data, as of 6/15/26. national average savings accounts offer.

No monthly fees and no surprises. Open your account and earn up to a $400 bonus

Run a 30-minute retirement reality check

Before you can jump into retirement, you'll need to build a financial plan. That starts by carefully evaluating your financial situation, even for just 30 minutes. Take some time to gather a clear picture of your finances by tallying up savings, debts, investments, and any streams of income you expect in retirement.

Beyond considering your resources, take a look at your spending plans. Nailing down how much you'd like to spend in retirement can help you determine whether or not your current retirement savings and assets will be enough to support the lifestyle you have in mind. If not, you'll have a better idea of how much you'd like to save between now and your golden years.

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Calculate your Social Security benefits

Beyond your retirement nest egg, it's important to consider your Social Security options. While many assume their Social Security will be enough to support all retirement expenses, it's usually not enough on its own. With that, it's important to calculate how much you can expect to receive from Social Security before jumping into retirement. You can use the Social Security Administration's quick check calculator to estimate your future benefits.

In addition to the amount you can expect monthly, think about the possibility of taking your benefits later to boost your monthly check. If you claim Social Security at 62 instead of 67, for example, your monthly benefit can be reduced by up to 30%. Taking your benefits later will increase your monthly income in retirement, but delaying doesn't make sense for everyone. You could even use the SSA's calculator to compare your benefit at 62, 67, and 70.

Increase your 401(k) contributions by 1%-2%

If you're behind on retirement savings, you aren't alone. Luckily, it's not too late to make significant strides toward building a retirement nest egg. Make saving for retirement a priority this year, even if it means cutting back on discretionary expenses.

When possible, automate your savings to pour directly into a retirement account, like a 401(k) or IRA, to make the most of your funds.

This year, try to increase your contributions by 1% to 2%. While this might not sound like too much, it can add up quickly. For example, let's say you were previously contributing $8,000 per year to your 401(k). Increasing your contribution by 2% would lead to tucking away $8,160 per year. Investing that amount annually for five years at an average 8% return could grow to nearly $48,000.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today— because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.

Increase your debt payments by $100 to $200

If you have high-interest debt, paying that off can help free up some wiggle room in your budget. Even putting $100 or $200 toward your debt each month could shave years off your loan term.

For example, if you have a 30-year, $400,000 mortgage with a 6% interest rate, putting an extra $200 toward the mortgage would help you pay it off about four to five years earlier.

Tackle your debts one at a time, working from the smallest balance to the largest. Once you've paid off your debt, redirect that newfound cash flow into building your retirement nest egg. At the very least, paying off debt can help to lower your expenses, which might put retirement within reach.

Get quotes on long-term care insurance

Long-term care costs can add up quickly. While most don't expect to need long-term care, the reality is that many seniors do rely on extra help through long-term care facilities in retirement. According to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 70% of adults who survive to age 65 will need long-term care at some point.

Instead of waiting for this expense to potentially decimate your retirement savings, look into, and consider buying, long-term care insurance before sailing into your golden years. Shop around to find the most affordable option for your situation.

But, on average, a 60-year-old man will pay around $1,200 per year for $165,000 in long-term care coverage. That number is $1,960 for women. Finding a way to cover this cost could help you better prepare for your retirement years.

Generate $500 monthly through an extra stream of income

A little bit of extra income can go a long way if you're worried that your nest egg won't be enough in the near term. If you are behind on your retirement savings, consider finding a way to generate extra cash to put toward your financial goals.

Some popular side hustles include delivering food and dog walking. Try selling crafts on Etsy or picking up pet-sitting gigs through Rover. And don't be afraid to get creative. For example, you might sell your artwork or build the side business you've always dreamed of. Using the extra money to make headway on your retirement savings goals is a good place to start.

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Shift risk gradually over the next 3-5 years

As you barrel toward retirement, it's a good idea to review your investment portfolio. Many retirees and pre-retirees choose to reduce their risk exposure in retirement. Generally, this means shifting your portfolio slowly from more volatile stocks into bonds or dividend-paying funds.

Readjusting your portfolio to reflect your current risk tolerance can help you protect your nest egg from swings in the stock market. For example, you might switch your portfolio from a more aggressive 80/20 stock-to-bond ratio to a more conservative 60/40 stock-to-bond ratio to improve stability.

Ask a financial advisor to review your plan

Building out a financial plan that will get you to retirement and beyond can be overwhelming. That's completely understandable. Luckily, it's possible to get some guidance about your specific situation by working with a financial advisor.

Consider talking through your plan and goals with a trusted financial advisor to help you make any necessary tweaks to your retirement plan.

Bottom line

According to a FinanceBuzz study, 63% said they aren't currently saving as much for retirement as they would like to. If you are planning for retirement, reaching the finish line by 2030 might sound like a dream come true, and depending on your financial situation, that might be possible. But it will likely involve a careful look at the numbers and tweaking of your finances to make retirement a reality in the near future.

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Author Details

Sarah Sharkey

Sarah Sharkey has written more than 190 articles for FinanceBuzz, where her goal is to help readers make more informed decisions. She specializes in retirement planning, Social Security, mortgages, insurance, and money management. Popular articles include what advisors wish retirees knew, how Americans' savings compare by age 65, and how to grow a modest sum into a seven-figure nest egg.