General, Retirement

6 Ways to Make Saving for Retirement Easier

February 23, 2022 • By and

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

young man holding a box with America Saves Week logoIt’s America Saves Week! That means it’s a great time to see how you’re doing with your savings goals. Most working Americans know they need to save for retirement. Sometimes though, because retirement is far off in the future, we may delay saving. When everyday expenses routinely pop up, saving for a time that is years away in the future can seem less urgent.

We’re working with Social Security to help you consider what your retirement will look like. The following strategies can make it easier for you to save for retirement:

  1. Start Small. Saving something is better than saving nothing – especially with compound interest. Just $5 per day could yield a return of $1 million in 48 years with the right investments. Consider saving as early as possible. Start with 1% and increase how much you save each year.
  1. Free Money. Many employers offer a contribution match. If you can afford to, contribute at least the same amount or percent of salary that your employer matches. This will automatically double your investment. That $5 per day could become $10 per day, – earning even more investment income on your contributions. If you are over age 50, you may be able to take advantage of the IRS-allowed catch-up contributions. 
  1. Make it Automatic. Set up automatic contributions either through your employer or financial institution. Keep your retirement money allocated for retirement only. You should have a separate account for unexpected expenses to avoid dipping into your retirement accounts.
  1. Make a Plan. It’s important to know what type of lifestyle you want in retirement and how much money it will take to sustain that lifestyle. Check out our guide, 6 Steps to Jumpstart Your Retirement Journey, for more information.
  1. Take the America Saves Pledge. Make a simple plan to meet your savings goals – and get long-term accountability and support. Take the pledge today.
  1. Remember Social Security. Be sure to check your personal my Social Security account to see how much you could receive in retirement based on your earnings history. If you don’t have a personal my Social Security account, you can create one today in just a few minutes.

It’s never too late to start contributing to your retirement plan. Let America Saves and Social Security help. Your future self will thank you! Please share this information with your friends and family – and help us spread the word on social media.

Our posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages. 

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About the Author

Carolyn Pemberton, America Saves Senior Program Manager, Consumer Federation of America

Amanda Woods, America Saves Program Coordinator, Consumer Federation of America

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Comments

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  2. Susan

    When can a wife collect 1/2 of her husband’s ssa

    • A.C.

      Hi, Susan. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Keep in mind that if you qualify for your own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Finally, to receive one-half of your spouse’s full retirment amount, you must be full retirement age. Visit our Benefits Planner for more information. We hope this helps. 

  3. Tommy

    Dear Social Security.

    I would appreciate If you provide a more friendly option to create our accounts. We want the old SSA way of creating the account. I know login.gov and id.me are a way too. But our information are locked out, on a very small and innocent error. Then we need to call the helpdesk which means sometimes can’t get resolved.
    We are depending on creating our accounts, without stress and with a simple click, without fearing.
    My suggestion is to restore the system, and let us create our accounts online, no suspending electronic access from our own selves.

    I look forward to your reply.
    P.S. Please make it easy online or provide a fax where we can send our documents or fax, either for a replacement or applying for a SSN and card.

    Thank you.
    Sincerely
    Tommy

    • A.C.

      Hi, Tommy. Thanks for your comment. You can also submit feedback by visiting our Contact Social Security page. Once there, select the “Email Us” link. This will take you to the “Email A Question to our Support Team” form where you can complete and submit a compliment, complaint, or suggestion. We hope this helps.

  4. Philippe G.

    Having a great deal of trouble getting on line no internet service because of Very controlling B landlord. , I’m so frustrated

  5. Karlos

    Que papeles tengo que firmar para asegurar a mi esposa en caso de fallecimiento, o cual es el procedimiento correcto

  6. Kamil S.

    We are retired. Saved enough to sustain us in our retirement.

  7. About C.

    Thank you About Creativity!

  8. Dorthea H.

    If a penny saved is a penny earned; a dollar saved reaps a fortune and brings no death or sorrow.

  9. Drema F.

    This is impossible due to raising cost of everything 2022

  10. Azarius C.

    This my address: 2529 Faxon avenue
    Memphis Tn,38112
    Azarius L Chaffen

    • Drema

      Don’t publish your personal info

    • A.C.

      Hi, Azarius. We respond to questions and provide general information on our Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Medicare and SSI programs. If you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. But remember, never post personal information on social media. Thanks! 

Comments are closed.