It’s never too early (or too late) to begin building your wealth for retirement.

Generally speaking, financial experts say you’ll need 70% of your annual pre-retirement income in order to maintain your standard of living in retirement. That statement may have you wondering when you should begin saving, and the simple answer is now.

As with any big project, it’s easy to become over- whelmed when you look at the big picture. However, by breaking your retirement savings goal into manage- able steps no matter when you start, you’ll find that the process becomes less intimidating. In fact, armed with information you gather along the way, we even propose that the process can be an exciting adventure! It’s USC Credit Union’s goal to be your financial partner for life and to empower you to own your future. Let’s get started!

When it comes to retirement savings, you have options to consider. Here is a list of some of those options and information that can help you make the best decision. It’s USC Credit Union’s goal to be your financial partner for life and to empower you to own your future. Let’s get started!

Traditional IRA
An IRA is an Individual Retirement Account. Deposits to a traditional IRA are not taxed and your contributions will grow “tax-deferred,” meaning you will pay taxes on the money when you withdraw it.
• Income limits: Anyone with earned income (younger than 70½) can contribute.

• Tax-deductible? Yes, on both state and federal returns for the year you make the contributions.

• Withdrawals: Qualified distributions can begin at 59½, but the first distribution cannot occur until
five years after the first contribution. Also, contrbutions (but not earnings) can be withdrawn penalty- and tax-free anytime.

• Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Begin at age 70½ 

Thanks in part to the time I spent serving in the Army, I have tons of friends with unusual hobbies. Friends who skydive every weekend, with hundreds of jumps under their belts. Helicopter aviators who are learning how to fly airplanes. Endorphin junkies who register for triathlons and adventure races every chance they get.

On the more sedentary side, my parents collect wine and have a cellar full of bottles. And I've been taking guitar lessons for years. But there's a problem with all of these hobbies: the cost.

All the fun pastimes are expensive, or so it seems. Army officer and adventure racer Robert Kurtts agrees. "Adventure races and triathlons not only have entrance fees," he says, "they also have the cost to travel to the race and stay overnight before an early morning race start."

Those entrance fees can range from $20 for a short local race to more than $500 for a national or international class event. Beyond that, Kurtts notes, some races are gear-intensive, and all the necessary equipment can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Kimberly Paine, aka Misfit Merida of the Providence Roller Derby team, says that her sport is putting unexpected pressure on her home life. "Gear, dues, insurance, after parties ... the expected and unexpected costs of playing roller derby have strained our wallets and our marriage," she says. "One pair of skates can cost between $300 and $600, and a set of wheels can cost over $100. The average roller derby player spends about $600 a year on her favorite pastime."

Hobbies like these can get quite costly, and that's not even taking into account the value of a person's time.

Generally speaking, financial experts say you’ll need 70% of your annual pre-retirement income in order to maintain your standard of living in retirement. That statement may have you wondering when you should begin saving, and the simple answer is now. As with any big project, it’s easy to become overwhelmed when you look at the big picture. However, by breaking your retirement savings goal into manageable steps no matter when you start, you’ll find that the process becomes less intimidating. In fact, armed with information you gather along the way, we even propose that the process can be an exciting adventure! It’s USC Credit Union’s goal to be your financial partner for life and to empower you to own your future. Let’s get started!

If I could go back in time, I would do certain things differently. I'm not saying I have a lot of regrets. But when I was younger, I tended to have myopic vision. For instance, it was hard to imagine that one day I would be older. Even today, sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder, who the hell is that?

I wish that, when I was younger, someone had sat me down and told me a few things. Or else I wish that I'd listened when someone attempted to do this.

If you're young, take a seat and listen up. These gems will help you on your quest for financial success.

1. Go to college. You may want to do something that doesn't require a college degree. For instance, you may dream of playing professional golf or running a barn and training horses. But give serious consideration to enrolling in college anyway. Yes, it's a major investment, but if your parents are unable to help you pay for it, make it happen yourself, even if it means taking out loans. One way to save on costs: Go to a community college first; then transfer to a four-year university after two years.

It's easier to get a degree when you're young than when you have a home, family and all the adult responsibilities that go with these things. Your earnings potential increases significantly with a college degree -- which will come in handy if your other dreams don't materialize. Plus, you will likely experience a love of learning that you will never outgrow.