Retirement planning can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This article presents practical advice from industry experts to help simplify the process. From focusing on small steps to reframing retirement as an exciting new phase, these insights offer actionable strategies for a more secure financial future.
- Start Small Focus on 401(k) Match
- Begin with a Clear Financial Picture
- Take Small Steps Toward Retirement Goals
- Rebrand Retirement as Exciting Phase Two
- Automate Contributions for Consistent Savings
- Take Action and Seek Guidance
- Frame Retirement as Monthly Bill
- Understand Your Finances Use Digital Tools
Start Small Focus on 401(k) Match
Having worked with hundreds of advisors across four custodians, the biggest retirement planning breakthrough I see happens when people stop trying to figure everything out at once. Instead, focus on just one thing: getting your employer 401(k) match if you have one — it’s literally free money.
I watched a Phoenix client who was completely paralyzed by retirement planning finally take action when we broke it down to a single decision. She increased her 401(k) contribution by just 2% to capture her full company match, which added $2,400 annually to her retirement without any complex strategy needed.
The collaboration aspect we emphasize shows this pattern repeatedly — advisors who help clients start with baby steps see much higher success rates than those pushing comprehensive plans. Once that first automatic contribution is running for three months, then you can think about the next piece.
What works best is treating retirement contributions like your phone bill — something that just happens automatically each month. Set up that one simple automatic transfer first, then build from there once it feels normal.
Ray Gettins
Director, United Advisor Group
Begin with a Clear Financial Picture
The first thing I would say to someone who is facing the challenge of figuring out the best way to plan for their retirement is simple: you’re not alone, and it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Retirement planning can feel like a massive, far-off goal, especially when you’re juggling current expenses, family responsibilities, and probably even debt. But the key is to stop thinking of it as something you have to complete all at once; the most important thing is just to START.
Start by getting clear on your current financial picture. That means understanding how much you spend each month, what your income looks like, and what you might want your lifestyle to look like when you stop working. You don’t need to have exact numbers, but having a general idea will help guide your decisions.
Then, take a look at what you’re already doing, if anything. Are you contributing to a 401(k) or an IRA? If your employer offers a match and you’re not taking full advantage of it, that is the first place to start. That match is essentially free money, and it adds up faster than people realize.
If you’re not contributing anything yet, start small. Even putting aside one percent of your paycheck can make a difference over time, and you can gradually increase that amount as you get more comfortable. What matters most is consistency, not perfection.
I also recommend using simple retirement calculators online. They can give you a rough estimate of where you stand and what adjustments you might want to consider. Sometimes just seeing the numbers laid out is enough to calm the anxiety.
If everything still feels daunting, talk to a professional. Whether it’s a financial advisor or a trusted friend who’s a little further along in their planning, having a conversation can give you clarity and momentum. Retirement planning does not have to be overwhelming, but you do have to take that first step. Once you do, it gets easier.
Richard Maize
Investor, Richard Maize Enterprises
Take Small Steps Toward Retirement Goals
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of retirement planning, the single most important piece of advice I can offer is: start small, but start now. You don’t need to have everything figured out at once — what matters most is taking that first step toward building clarity and momentum.
Many people delay retirement planning because they assume it requires large sums of money or complex financial knowledge. In reality, the process becomes far less intimidating when you break it down into manageable steps. Begin by assessing where you currently stand. This doesn’t mean building a full financial model right away. Instead, take a simple inventory: What are your monthly expenses? Do you have any savings or retirement accounts like a 401(k), IRA, or pension? What sources of income — such as Social Security, part-time work, or rental income — might you expect in retirement?
Once you’ve sketched out a basic picture of your current finances, the next step is setting a simple, achievable goal. For example, you might aim to contribute just 1-5% of your income into a retirement account or set aside a fixed amount each month into a savings account. Starting small builds confidence and creates positive habits, which is more important than the initial dollar amount.
It’s also helpful to talk to a financial advisor — or even use free resources from a trusted nonprofit or government agency. Many offer retirement calculators, checklists, and educational materials that can demystify the process. If a professional advisor feels out of reach, consider speaking to your bank or employer’s benefits department; they often provide free or low-cost guidance on retirement options.
Above all, remember: retirement planning isn’t a one-time decision, but an ongoing process. You don’t need all the answers today — but by taking small, deliberate steps, you’re already on the right path. Momentum matters more than perfection.
Loretta Kilday
Debtcc Spokesperson, Debt Consolidation Care
Rebrand Retirement as Exciting Phase Two
If the word “retirement” makes you freeze, rename it something exciting like “Phase Two” or “Creative Years.” That rebranding alone softens the fear and opens up your mind to possibility rather than panic. Retirement is not an exit strategy; it is a freedom plan built around choice and rhythm. Think about how you want your life to feel, not just how it should look.
Now, take a legal pad and list your current income, recurring expenses, and how much flexibility you want. Then create a new column with potential ways to earn or save a little more starting next month. That roadmap brings structure to your emotions and turns abstraction into steady weekly actions. Your future self will thank you for that clarity more than anything else.
Jason Hennessey
CEO, Hennessey Digital
Automate Contributions for Consistent Savings
As someone who built pension services from the ground up — including launching a digital SIPP for self-employed and freelance workers in the UK — my one piece of advice is simple: start small, and start today.
Retirement planning can feel overwhelming because it combines long-term uncertainty with a lot of financial jargon. But like building any product or system, it becomes far more manageable once broken into smaller steps.
First, understand where you are. Use a consolidation tool or pension tracing service to gather a clear view of your existing pensions and savings. This baseline often surprises people — and it’s empowering.
Second, define a simple goal. You don’t need perfect forecasts. Just ask: how much income would give you peace of mind in retirement? Multiply that by the number of years you’d like it to last — now you have a rough target.
Third, automate your contributions. Even £50-£100 a month makes a difference when compounded over time. What matters most is consistency — not timing the market or picking the “perfect” investment.
We saw firsthand how small, regular actions demystified retirement for people who had been ignoring it for years. The key isn’t to get it perfect — it’s to get started.
Raul Tudor
Fractional Chief Technology Officer, Tudor Software House
Take Action and Seek Guidance
Start small. Stay consistent. Don’t panic.
I completely understand when people say that retirement planning stresses them out. It’s one of those things that sounds enormous, like climbing a financial mountain barefoot. However, in reality, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.
One step. That’s all you need to focus on in the beginning. Perhaps that means figuring out where you spend your money each month or opening an IRA account. I have often seen people delay their financial planning simply because they think they need to understand everything before doing anything. That’s simply not the case. You need to take action first, and understanding comes after that.
People also need to realize that they don’t have to do it alone. Talking to someone who has been down that path can help you tremendously. A mentor, a planner, or even a friend can prove to be a real asset. Retirement is not a one-size-fits-all thing, but no one should feel like they are doing it blindfolded, either.
Lon Welsh
Founder, Ironton Capital
Frame Retirement as Monthly Bill
To me, retirement planning becomes simpler when you break it down into a monthly bill. List your essential expenses, subtract expected pension or social security, and call the gap your must-cover number. As a rule of thumb, covering €2,000 per month (€24,000 per year) requires about 25 times that amount — roughly €600,000 invested across stocks and bonds.
Start by contributing 5-10% of your pay toward that retirement pot, automate contributions the day after payday, and increase by 1% each year. Keep three months of expenses in cash so you can leave investments alone during market drops, and rebalance once a year. Adjust these numbers for taxes, timeline, and risk tolerance, but the bill-pay frame transforms worry into a plan you can follow.
Yuri Berg
Cbdo, FinchTrade
Understand Your Finances Use Digital Tools
Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of planning for retirement is more common than you might think. With all the calculations, projections, and long-term decisions, many people simply don’t know where to begin. My advice: start small, but start today.
You don’t need to have all the answers right away. A very effective first step is to understand your current financial situation: how much you earn, how much you spend, and how much you can realistically save each month. From there, you can set simple goals, like opening a retirement savings account or talking to a financial advisor.
Another key step is to take advantage of digital tools. Today, there are platforms, often powered by open banking, that let you connect your accounts, view your finances, simulate your retirement, and automate savings with ease.
The most important thing to remember is that retirement planning isn’t a one-time event; it’s a process. The earlier you start, the more control and peace of mind you’ll have in the future.
Ambrosio Arizu
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Argoz Consultants
