With inflation making headlines and costs seeming higher than ever, you might worry that retirement is out of reach. But it's important to remember that retirement planning is a lifelong journey.
Whether you feel confident in your plan to retire early or you know you need to get started, you probably don't know everything that can help you grow your wealth.
That's why we've compiled 10 little secrets that can get you on track for your goals and help you improve your overall lifestyle when your golden years arrive.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1 <p>See website for details.</p>
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today
Use artificial intelligence
/images/2023/03/02/digital_graph_chart_in_stock_trade_market.jpg)
Artificial intelligence (AI) only recently emerged in everyday life, but it's been helping humans with money for years.
Companies use AI to make the retirement planning process more accessible and to help select the best mix of assets for investors.
That is good news for you because it can make planning easier. Large financial companies like MassMutual have harnessed the power of AI to help people plan with positive results.
Do more than just make a plan
/images/2023/03/02/concentrated_woman_making_plan_on_sticky_notes.jpg)
It's hard to predict how much you'll need in retirement. Plus, even after calculating your number, planning how to save that much money can be even more challenging.
The good news is that even if you don't stick to your plan, you're better off for having made one. As long as you know where you're headed with retirement savings, you've set yourself up for success.
Finding ways to supplement your Social Security can provide an additional security blanket, too.
Utilize work benefits
/images/2023/03/02/401k_plans.jpg)
Roughly 73% of Americans have access to a retirement account sponsored by their employer, but only 56% utilize those accounts. If you're not taking advantage, it might be time to start saving.
Retirement benefits through work are part of your overall compensation package. Plus, employers will often match contributions up to a certain percentage, so you could be losing free money by not participating.
Trending Stories
Choose your own retirement lifestyle
/images/2023/03/02/grandpa_and_grandson_sketching_on_the_floor.jpg)
While retirement might look a certain way to most people, there's no single way for you to live your golden years. You can choose whatever retirement lifestyle you want if you plan ahead.
If you love the beach, then plan for a tropical retirement. But if you're someone who wants to stay where you live and enjoy quiet days at home, that's okay too. Don't let someone else's retirement keep you from planning for what you want.
To get started, write a paragraph describing your ideal retirement. Be as specific as possible and include details. Once you have your perfect lifestyle, calculate how much it will cost and start saving.
Start saving
/images/2023/03/02/elderly_woman_sitting_on_couch_feeling_excited.jpg)
Saving enough for a stress-free retirement can feel overwhelming because the amount you need is likely more than you've ever seen in a single account. This paralyzes people from moving forward.
Luckily, it's not too late to begin if you've put off saving for retirement or feel behind. The best thing you can do for your future is to start saving right now, regardless of your age. It all counts and will help create a more comfortable retirement.
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.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement.
Important: 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 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.
Withdraw 4% from your retirement accounts
/images/2021/10/28/senior-couple-planning-finances.jpg)
According to some financial experts, the 4% rule is a rule of thumb for how much you can withdraw from your accounts each year in retirement without running out of money.
In other words, it's considered to be a safe withdrawal rate. You can use different safe withdrawal rate calculators to determine your comfort level.
Remember, retirement planning is complex, and a lot can impact how much you'll be able to withdraw each year in retirement.
Take advantage of catch-up contributions
/images/2023/03/03/ira_written_on_a_stick_and_jar_with_dollars.jpg)
If you're over 50 years old, you can make additional contributions to your retirement accounts. These contributions are often known as "catch-up contributions."
According to the IRS, the limits for 2025 are $1,000 for an IRA, for a SIMPLE IRA, and $7,500 in 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b).
This gives you a chance to catch up if you're behind on retirement savings. But even if you're not behind, saving a little extra could still be worth it.
Prepare beyond Social Security
/images/2023/02/08/social_security_benefits.jpg)
Some people wonder whether or not Social Security will be available when future generations retire.
If you feel nervous, you could calculate two retirement numbers, one with Social Security and one without. If you're prepared for retirement without Social Security, then you'll have extra income if you're still able to collect.
Plan ahead for health insurance
/images/2023/03/03/application_for_health_coverage.jpg)
For many Americans, health insurance can be a considerable expense during their working years. It often continues to be a significant retirement expense, especially if you retire before you're eligible for Medicare.
Because of that, it might be a good idea to plan for health insurance expenses in retirement well in advance. Take time to understand your options and how they might impact your budget.
In 2023 Americans lost over $10 billion to identity theft and fraud
That's right. According to the FTC, Americans lost over $10 Billion to fraud and identity theft in 2023.
But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one identity theft protection services from Aura which comes with $1,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance2 <p>Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group‚ Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms‚ conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms‚ conditions‚ and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.</p> per adult, to cover you should you have eligible identity theft-related losses.
An individual plan starts at $9 per month, and you can choose a family plan that outmatches most others - includes Dark Web monitoring to scour data breaches and leaks for your sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers (SSN), Medicare information, and phone numbers.
Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.
You don't have to know it all
/images/2023/03/03/elderly_couple_is_looking_puzzled_on_the_laptop_screen.jpg)
If you ever feel like you're behind in planning for retirement, you're not alone. About half of all American households don't have any retirement savings.
Even if someone in your life seems to have it all together with their finances, they probably could improve their overall retirement planning.
When it comes to planning for retirement, no one knows it all. Most people figure it out as they go. So don't get down on yourself if you're still learning, and remember that just doing it is the most important part of saving for retirement.
Bottom line
/images/2023/02/08/senior_couple_on_sofa_with_bills.jpg)
Retirement planning is not a task you complete in a day and never have to think about again. It's a strategic, years-long project that might be center stage some years and put on the back burner during others.
But as you plan for retirement, every step is an important one. It's vital to actively save money, crush your debt, invest where you can, and cultivate a healthy financial mindset. Your future self will (probably) thank you.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.1 <p>See website for details.</p> No minimum deposit or balance. FDIC Insured.
Become a member and enjoy discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, and more.
Helps to identify and prevent fraud in real-time with 24/7 U.S.-based support.
Subscribe Today
Unlock the Best Banking Deals and Bonuses
From high-yield savings accounts to cashback checking and sign-up bonuses, we bring you the best banking offers to grow your money smarter.