Are you a young professional planning for your financial future? You may be contemplating how to clear your student loan debt and save more for your retirement. Discipline and commitment will never go wrong when it comes to financial decisions, but having a financial plan is key. Read on for three reliable tips on how you can save and pay back your student loans.

Retirement looks different for everyone. While some people are content to continue their careers well into their sixties, some motivated professionals aim to retire early. Early retirement isn’t for the faint of heart; building up a substantial retirement savings, boosting your financial proficiency, and figuring out how to maintain your standard of living without a stream of traditional income can be a harrowing prospect. However, if everything works out well, early retirement can be an incredibly enjoyable way of life. Consider these financial planning tips to help you work towards an early retirement.

Retirement is something that most people think about, regardless of their age. Whether it’s to obsess over their savings or plan what to do during their golden years, many people spend a great deal of time thinking ahead. Most company pensions are a thing of the past, and some younger folks express skepticism that retirement benefits provided by the Social Security Administration will be sufficient (or available at all) by the time they retire. For those looking to get a head start on retirement planning, financial wellness programs can provide many valuable tools, information, and insights.

This article was previously published by Principal.

People leave the workforce for all sorts of reasons and lengths of time—some by choice, some not. But any break in work, be it temporary or prolonged, may also lead to a break or dip into retirement savings. Take the year 2020: 15% of people faced with a job loss or reduction borrowed from or cashed out retirement accounts, according to the Federal Reserve.¹

Luckily, there are lots of ways to catch up on retirement savings if you’ve left (and perhaps reentered) the workforce. Whatever path you choose depends on the tradeoffs you’re willing to make in the short and long term. These ideas may help.

It was all about what you could gain during your earning years-- and now in retirement, it is how not to lose.  Join two experts, Harlan Accola of Fairway Independent Mortgage and David McKnight, the author of the Power of Zero,  for How Not to Lose in Retirement on Wednesday, July 21st at 5:30 pm eastern, as they review your most important investments: 

The countless choices can be mind boggling while researching your retirement investing options. However, there are certain decisions that should not be either/or.

Ah, life. It continues whether we are prepared or not. But preparation is key to navigating life events that affect our finances. 

Marriage

Two become one, and that means shared responsibilities and incomes. Let's face it -- life insurance may not be top-of-mind for couples embarking on a lifetime together, but perhaps it should be. If one of you was unable to work, could you afford your mortgage or your day-to-day bills? 

If you start your financial planning early in your marriage, you'll have a better chance for financial success, and you'll increase your future options. 

Some people forget to plan for the future when they focus on their current situations. While you may think you don't need to worry about retirement yet, you should start planning for it. Doing so can help you in various ways, especially as you put forth effort to plan and start saving for your retirement. Let's talk about the benefits you will enjoy if you start right away on your retirement plan.

Do you have a retirement savings goal? Do you know how much you need to save?

Chances are good you don’t. Most Americans have no idea how much they need to save to live comfortably in retirement.

People of any age can make a plan, no matter your age.  This advice will help you determine your retirement savings goal — and get there. Starting now.

When you retire, do you plan on doing one or more of the following?