09/03/2026
Three things you should know (and do) when it comes to saving for retirement.
1. Set up automatic contributions: Whether you have a 401k through your employer or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), making automatic contributions takes the guess work out of saving. You don’t have to remember to pull money from an account on a monthly or quarterly basis and it also removes the emotion from the decision process. As they say, “set it and forget it.”
2. Increase your contributions over time: Contribution escalation accounts for inflation and can help maximize your wealth in retirement. As your salary increases over time, you can increase your contributions without impacting your daily expenses or negatively affecting your budget. Remember, the more you contribute, the more your money has a chance to grow.
3. Start now: No matter your age, if you haven’t started saving for retirement yet, now is a great time to begin. The earlier you start, the easier it is to build momentum - and you’re less likely to feel like you need to play catch-up later. Even if you can only set aside a small amount each month, it really does add up over time.
For 2026, you can contribute up to $7,500 total to an IRA (Traditional or Roth, or a mix of both), as long as you have earned income. And if you have access to a workplace plan like a 401(k), you can usually save quite a bit more, with higher limits depending on your age.
The details can vary based on your income and situation, but the most important step is simply getting started.
Here’s what you can count on when you choose to work with our retirement specialists:
• Competitive dividends above standard savings rates
• Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and Coverdell ESA available
• No setup fees
• No monthly or annual maintenance fees
• No minimum deposit to open
If you’d like to learn more, visit SoutheasternCU.com/iras. You’ll see why we say, membership means more.
