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Does Retirement Feel Far Away? Here’s How to Start Saving Now.

Published: July 8, 2025

Retirement can seem like a distant dream, especially when you’re focused on more pressing priorities—like paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for your next family trip. But starting now, even in small ways, can make a big difference.

Begin by imagining your ideal retirement. What does it look like? Where will you live? Will you travel often? On average, Americans over 65 spend about $52,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Will that be enough to support the lifestyle you want?

Since no one can predict the future exactly, try using a retirement calculator (like the one at AARP.org). It will ask for your current age, salary, savings, and target retirement date, then estimate how much you’ll need and how much you’re on track to have.

Once you have a number, ask yourself what you can do to reach it. If you’ve paid off high-interest debt and built a 6-month emergency fund, consider maximizing your retirement contributions. For 2024, the annual limits are $23,000 for a 401(k) and $7,000 for an IRA. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute even more.

Still working on your short-term savings or paying off debt? Try increasing your retirement contributions by just 1%—every little bit helps. One financial advisor shared a story about a client who began saving just $10 a week. That simple step grew into a habit that eventually helped him retire at 56.

A smart tip: When you pay off a big expense like a mortgage, reroute 50% of that payment into a high-yield savings or retirement account.

If all this feels overwhelming, consider meeting with a financial advisor. You can check credentials at investor.gov, or connect with a free volunteer advisor through SavvyLadies.org.

And when the money worries creep in late at night? Take a deep breath and picture how it will feel to reach your financial goals. As one expert put it: “You don’t have to be perfect—just make progress.”

Facing your finances might feel scary, but avoiding them keeps you stuck. Shine a light on your goals, and you’ll be surprised how empowering it can feel.

BREWERY CREDIT UNION MISSION STATEMENT

“Providing superior financial service while economically empowering our Members and Community.”

We do our best every day to complete this mission with the greatest member satisfaction and highest quality service.

MEMBER OWNED

We have members, not customers. Brewery Credit Union is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the member-owners.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT

As a not-for-profit organization, we focus on meeting members needs. This means we take our profits and use them to offer lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and fewer service fees.

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE

Every day at Brewery Credit Union, you invest in the community and the community invests in you. We lend deposits to members who and work in Southeastern Wisconsin neighborhoods, making sure your money stays here.

WE ARE A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (CDFI)

Brewery Credit Union (BCU) offers the same commitment to our members since we chartered in 1934 as Brewery Workers Credit Union. The Brewery Workers Union Local 9 represented the many breweries and malting companies in Milwaukee. They formed the Credit Union for those in the brewing industry to have a safe place to borrow and save. The Brewery Workers Union Local 9 was also the original home of the Brewery Workers Credit Union. The Credit Union moved to Schlitz Brewery for a number of years until building our current home on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. In 1984, the Credit Union changed our name to Brewery Credit Union and currently offers membership to anyone who lives in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, or Washington counties, in addition to members of the Museum of Beer and Brewing. “Once a member always a member,” means should you ever relocate out of the area, your membership can continue.

Our members have access to the many products and services that Brewery Credit Union offers. We pride ourselves on offering new technology to make transacting business easier and faster than ever. The Credit Union’s mission of economically empowering our members and communities means that we will not judge a member for a blemished past. We want to help our members reach their financial goals and dreams. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve financial security and have access to safe, low-cost financial products and services. If you believe our mission will benefit you financially, or your membership will support members seeking to benefit from our mission, we would like you to become a member/owner of our great organization.