However, Social Security benefits were never intended to be a primary source of income. They were only designed to replace around 40% of your pre-retirement income, and the rest would need to come from your savings, a pension, or some other income source.
If you're nearing retirement age and are realizing you need to supplement your Social Security benefits, you have a few options.
1. Ramp up your retirement contributions
It's never too late to save more for retirement. Even if you're nearing your senior years, you may be able to save more than you think.
If you have access to a 401(k) that offers employer matching contributions, try to save at least enough to earn the full match. Depending on your salary and how much your employer will match, you could potentially receive thousands of dollars per year in matching contributions. If you're not taking advantage of this perk, you're leaving free money on the table.
In addition, if you're age 50 or older, you're eligible to make 401(k) and IRA catch-up contributions. Normally, you're allowed to contribute up to $19,500 per year to your 401(k) and $6,000 per year to your IRA. Once you turn 50, however, you can save an additional $6,500 per year in your 401(k) and an extra $1,000 per year in your IRA.
2. Consider working longer
Just over half (52%) of Americans say they expect to continue working past age 65 or never retire at all, according to a survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. If your savings are falling short, it may be a good idea to consider delaying retirement or picking up a part-time job after you retire.
Even if you're only able to delay retirement by a year or two, that can make a significant difference in your savings. When you work longer, that's less time you'll spend in retirement -- and less you'll have to save. You'll also have more time to prepare for retirement, making it a little easier to boost your savings.
If you'd rather not delay retirement, you may consider picking up a part-time job instead. Not only can this help you save more, but it can also give you an opportunity to explore a new industry. If you've always been interested in a particular field but didn't want to make it a career, retirement is your chance to try something new.
Saving more for retirement when you're down to the wire can be tough. But even if you can't save much, every little bit counts.