Do you have big things in store for your retirement savings in the new year? Are you ready to finally reach some of your short-term goals? Are you ready to put your retirement savings mistakes in the past?

While no two people take the same approach to saving for retirement, there are some basic things that anyone can do to reach their goals. And when you find yourself on the right track, you’ll feel much better about what the future will bring.

Here are five things you can do to improve the likelihood of reaching your retirement savings goals in 2022 (and beyond).

1. Start Now

If you’re going to reach all your retirement savings goals in 2022, there’s no time to waste. There’s no reason to put it off another day. You know what you want to accomplish — or at least have a basic idea — so it’s time to dive in. Don’t worry about making mistakes. You can always adjust as you move forward. 

2. Meet Your Employer’s Match

If your employer offers a 401(k) match, you’re missing the boat if you’re not taking full advantage. Find out how much you have to contribute to get every last penny from your employer. There’s never a good time to pass over free money — and that’s especially true when it comes to retirement savings. 

3. Automate Your Savings

It’s easy to say that you’ll remember to contribute to your retirement accounts every month. However, when it comes down to it, there’s a good chance that you’ll forget to do so. By automating the process, this is never a concern. Every month, your contributions are automated so that you don’t have to lift a finger. All you have to do is watch your retirement savings grow. 

4. Understand Your Investments

Don’t make the mistake of investing in something you don’t understand. Doing so could lead you down a risky path of making mistakes that don’t align with your retirement savings goals. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your financial advisor. 

5. Set Realistic Goals

It’s good to have both short and long-term retirement savings goals, but you must be realistic. For example, if you don’t have any money saved for retirement, don’t set the goal of having $100k by the end of 2022 (unless you have reason to believe you can get there).

Summary

These are just a few of the many things you can do to reach your retirement savings goals in 2022. By taking these steps, you’ll have a plan you can rely on as weeks turn to months.