Overview
- Working a few extra years can create more time to contribute and may allow you to delay claiming Social Security for higher monthly benefits.
- Use age‑based catch‑up contributions in IRAs and 401(k)s, and consider HSA catch‑ups if you have an eligible account.
- If maxing out isn’t feasible, raise your savings rate and trim expenses to free cash for investing sooner.
- Capture your full workplace 401(k) match in 2026 by increasing contributions so no employer money is left on the table.
- Direct future pay increases into retirement automatically and choose investments designed to shoulder more of the long‑term growth work.