Retirement is something you’re told to prepare for as soon as you enter the workforce. However, this is not possible for many Americans and the majority feel like they have not saved enough.
Nearly 75 percent of Americans are worried about economic insecurity affecting their retirement, according to a recent report from the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS).
In the same report, 88 percent of Americans said they believe there is a “retirement crisis” in this country.
Planning for Retirement
HR is in a position to help educate employees on their retirement. Employees should turn to HR with questions about the best ways to prepare for the transition.
There are many ways to get ready for retirement, but you will ultimately need to have money saved. The Department of Labor (DOL) encourages the following savings tips:
- Start now. Don’t wait. Time is critical.
- Start small, if necessary. Even small contributions can make a big difference given enough time and the right kind of investments.
- Use automatic deductions from your payroll or your checking account for deposit into mutual funds, your individual retirement account (IRA) or other investment vehicles.
- Save regularly. Make saving for retirement a habit.
- Be realistic about investment returns. Never assume that a year or two of high market returns (or market declines) will continue indefinitely.
- Roll over retirement account money if you change jobs.
- Don’t dip into retirement savings.
Saving for retirement may seem like a strain on your budget right now, but you can start small and grow. The closer you get to retirement age, the more you will appreciate your savings.
For more information on retirement saving tips, visit www.dol.gov/ebsa/pdf/savingsfitness.pdf.
