People often don’t start thinking about retirement until they are about to stop working or have the decision forced on them. And that’s a wasted opportunity.

Now that we are living longer, retirement may last three decades or more. That’s a long time to regret not doing more to plan and save for a personally fulfilling, financially secure retirement.

With a little planning, you can make a big difference in your retirement outcome.

As a starting point, you can begin planning for retirement in a few easy steps. This includes thinking about your dream retirement, how long it might last, what it will cost, how much you need to fund it, how much you have now, whether your savings are on track and what you can do to close the gap.

Some of us dream about the day we can finally stop work and do all the things we never have time for. The chance for extended travel without having to race back to work, pursue hobbies, make a sea or tree change or spend time with the grandkids.

Some love their work and want to keep contributing as long as possible, perhaps working part-time into their late 60s and 70s. Others simply put off thinking about retirement, either because they’re too busy, they find the subject boring, or they’re fearful they won’t have enough savings to live comfortably.

Whether you are ready to retire immediately, or are in denial, the sooner you start planning, the better your chances of making the most of your retirement years. The stark reality is there could be many of them.

Today’s 65-year-olds can expect to live to an average age of 85 years for men and 87.7 for women, or roughly 20 and 22 years respectively. That’s a long time, and it’s only an average.  Half will live longer than that – many into their 90s.

Some of us could spend almost as long in retirement as we did in the workforce and that requires careful planning. So get the ball rolling by working through some simple steps.