1. Expand on already-successful efforts by individual states.

California, Illinois, and Oregon, the report points out, already require most employers to enroll workers in a company retirement plan or state-sponsored IRA through payroll deductions.

Expanding such programs to other states would provide greater coverage for people who otherwise would have no retirement savings at all.

5 ways to help Americans save for retirement

10,000 boomers turn 65 each day, and a fifth of older Americans are already working past retirement age, many out of necessity.

It will likely take a multiplicity of responses to come up with an adequate solution. Attendees at the Aspen Institute's third annual Leadership Forum on Retirement Savings identified five things that would help Americans save for retirement.

Peruse the gallery to see them, broadly outlined, and read the article below to learn more. (All photos: Shutterstock)

5. Make rollovers and tracking easier.

Leakage from retirement plans—money withdrawn by participants on switching jobs—accounts for some $60–$105 billion (that's billion with a b) every year.

Considering that jobhopping has become the employment mode du jour, it's not surprising that trying to roll over retirement plans, or even keep track of plans from former employers, is a tough nut to crack.

According to the study, between 33–47 percent of workers just take out part or all of that money when switching jobs. But if retirement plans weren't tied to a specific employer, it would be far easier to move the money—and a lot less tempting to pull it out every time there's a job change.

Other strategies suggested by respondents along these lines include a universal registry system, a third-party clearinghouse that facilitates transfers, and auto-portability.

4. Lifetime income for longer lifespans.

People are justly wary of annuities overall, since the bad ones are very bad and the good ones less well known.

If people had more flexibility and control over trustworthy annuities that would guarantee them lifetime income while taking into account the longer lifespans that now need to be paid for, that could go a long way toward keeping retirees solvent.

3. Easier (and cheaper) ways for employers to offer retirement plans.

It's tough and often costly for small employers to provide their employees with retirement plans, which cuts out a lot of people from saving for retirement (since many don't know how to deal with IRAs).

In addition, the self-employed miss out on the relative ease of joining an employer-sponsored plan.

Making it easier for smaller employers to offer plans, perhaps by banding together under open multiple employer plans  (accompanied by suitable consumer protections), as well as easing the path for the self-employed and gig workers to find suitable savings programs, would have a very far reach in protecting a greater number of Americans.

2. Highlight and assist emergency savings.

Headlines about people being unable to cope with a $400 emergency are no joke.

If it were easier for people to save in an emergency fund, that would go a long way toward protecting their financial wellness and keep them from jeopardizing their efforts at retirement savings.

Says the report, "Pairing a short-term savings plan with a workplace retirement plan is currently showing promise in marketplace testing, but more regulatory guidance is called for."

1. Expand on already-successful efforts by individual states.

California, Illinois, and Oregon, the report points out, already require most employers to enroll workers in a company retirement plan or state-sponsored IRA through payroll deductions.

Expanding such programs to other states would provide greater coverage for people who otherwise would have no retirement savings at all.