collage of blue-tinted Social Security cards

With the economy in a state of such volatility, it's hard to predict how or when Social Security benefits may change. According to the Social Security Administration, "Social Security benefits are now expected to be payable in full on a timely basis until 2037, when the trust fund reserves are projected to become exhausted." Regardless of the evolution of this benefit, employees need to prepare to support themselves through retirement.

Relying on money that may not exist is a risk no American can afford to take. This is especially important for employees who anticipate being in the workforce beyond the next 10 years. They should be prepared to save more than previous generations if they don't want to jeopardize their ability to retire and live the lifestyle they desire.

As an employer, you are in a position to educate your employees on the value of retirement planning as well as to provide the resources that enable them to save.

This could mean providing new employees with information on creating retirement accounts, encouraging employees to contribute enough to receive the maximum employer match, or helping seasoned employees realize their estimated retirement fund based on their current contribution.

Often, the biggest challenge for employees is determining exactly what their ideal retirement plan looks like. Personal finances are just that – personal. Each of your employees will have a different vision of their life when they retire, but there are steps all employees can take to help build a solid retirement strategy. Here are four steps you can share with your employees to help them plan for retirement:

1. Determine your desired retirement age. This is the first step to create an effective retirement plan.

Once you know when you'd like to retire, you can work backwards to determine how much you'll need to save between now and your expected retirement age to support yourself. Based on the years you have left in the workforce, you can adjust your contribution accordingly to reach your goal.

2. Gauge your level of risk tolerance. The longer the timeline is between your current age and retirement age, you may opt for riskier investments in your portfolio since your investments will have time to withstand potential volatility of the market.

If risky investments make you uneasy, build a portfolio that you feel comfortable with. You don't want your retirement portfolio to cause additional financial stress, but you should take an active role in the management of your investments to ensure your portfolio allocations will enable you to meet your retirement goals (or enlist a professional advisor that can help).

3. Be realistic about anticipated retirement spending. The worst thing you can do is to underestimate how much money you'll need in retirement. Once you retire and your income is gone, it will be too late to add to your fund.

Plan appropriately now and adjust your contributions to support your anticipated spending habits. Consider unpaid debts, cost of living increases and unforeseen health issues. Online budget calculators can help you determine how much you'll need to save based on anticipated expenses.

Now is the time to plan for the unexpected as if you expect it to happen; worst case, you'll have additional travel funds to check things off your bucket list.

4. Cut back now, worry less later. Does it seem like you never have enough money to put away? Living expenses. Unexpected expenses. Little incidentals that add up. Online money management tools are a great way to help you create and manage a budget. They'll also help you track your expenses and identify spending trends.

A few small adjustments can add up to a nice monthly lump sum you'll be able to invest in your retirement account without making huge sacrifices. When you get that raise, invest it before it ever hits your paycheck. You won't miss it if you never have the chance to spend it. If you want professional guidance, reach out to a financial coach or advisor to help you organize your finances and find ways to save more. You'll appreciate it in the long run.

Whether a solution is found and Social Security lasts for decades, or younger generations experience the end of Social Security as we know it, employers must put an emphasis on the importance of employees saving more for retirement than previous generations.

Many elements of the future are unpredictable, but retirement planning is one thing that is within our control. By preparing early and establishing a solid retirement strategy, your employees will experience less financial stress with the peace of mind that their future livelihood is under control.

David Kilby is president of FinFit, a national financial wellness brand based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Instant Insights /

Social Security or not, the time to secure employees' retirement is now

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