Your Guide to Stay on Track for a Secure Retirement

By now, you’re likely well on your way to saving for retirement. Keep your momentum! Remember, saving for retirement is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep up the pace and follow these four tips to stay on track for a secure retirement:

1. Don’t deviate from your savings path.

It can be tempting to cut back on saving — or even stop it altogether — during difficult times because financial pressures and immediate expenses can demand priority over long-term goals.

But with compound interest, even modest, steady contributions can build into larger savings over time. The more time you allow your money to work for you, the better off you’ll be. Analyze your budget to see where your money is going and where you can improve. By the way, don’t leave money on the table! If your employer offers matching contributions to your retirement plan, be sure you contribute enough to be eligible for the full match. This is a great way to substantially increase your retirement savings by putting just a little more skin in the game.

2. Follow recommended contribution guidelines.

Many industry experts recommend saving 10-15% of your annual income toward retirement. If this goal seems daunting, continue with your current contribution amount and increase that percentage every time you receive a raise, promotion or bonus to stay on track. Annual increases significantly improve the likelihood you’ll reach your end goal. Make the most of your highest earning years (typically ages 35–55) by maximizing your contributions.

3. Invest appropriately.

Maintain your portfolio to help ensure it comprises investments that best align with your retirement goals and risk tolerance. We make it simple to do just that through resources such as our Investment Recommendation tool and retirement portfolio models.

4. Keep your eye on the finish line: Invest for the long term.

Take a disciplined approach to investing by focusing on the long term. Avoid making investment decisions based on emotion and today’s market news. Exerting self-control to save for retirement regularly may be challenging, but it pales in comparison to future regret. Adopting a long-term perspective motivates you to make small sacrifices today and stay on track toward a comfortable retirement.

Utilize our Retirement Readiness Assessment for a more in-depth review of your progress and check if you are on track or need to save more to reach your goals. GuideStone® is here for you every step of the way on your journey to retirement. We have additional resources available to assist you, such as our articles, videos, calculators, FAQs and webinars. If you participate in a plan with GuideStone, consider applying what you’ve learned today and increase your current contributions. Continue your momentum to stay on track for a secure retirement — your future self will thank you. For more information, contact us at Info@GuideStone.org or 1-888-98-GUIDE (1-888-984-8433), Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.