Step 5: If the Math Doesn’t Work — Adjust Early
If your numbers show a shortfall, don’t panic. You still have options.
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Delay Social Security: every year you wait (up to age 70) boosts your benefit by about 8%. That’s a guaranteed return.
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Work a little longer: even part-time or gig work can make a surprising difference, keeping savings intact longer.
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Downsize or simplify: smaller home, one car instead of two, cutting recurring bills — these shifts add up.
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Rebalance investments: avoid being too conservative (which can’t outpace inflation) or too aggressive (risking losses you can’t recover from).
