​Feel like you’re unprepared for retirement? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. A recent Gallup study found that more than 50 percent of Americans are worried that they won’t be able to fund their retirement. In fact, retirement is America’s top financial worry.1
 
The good news is it’s never too late to develop a plan and take back control of your strategy. Of course, before you can take action, you need to identify areas for improvement. Below are a few red flags that could indicate you’re not as ready as you should be. If any of these sound familiar and you’re approaching retirement, now may be the time to take action.

​Are you self-employed? In many ways, you may feel like you’re living the dream. You get to set your own schedule, make your own rules and make a living by doing what you love. Self-employment can bring challenges and complications, but for many people, the benefits far outweigh the costs.
 
While self-employment may be fulfilling, it can present difficulties when it comes to saving for retirement. Traditional employees are able to participate in their employer’s 401(k) plan or pension. They may even receive a matching retirement contribution from their employer. Self-employed individuals don’t have that option.
 
You may believe that you can simply delay retirement as long as you want. Maybe you don’t have any desire to retire. However, chances are good that you will have to stop working at some point. You could become physically unable to work, or you may simply decide that you want to pursue other activities.
 
The good news is you can plan ahead by taking action today. Below are a few tips to help you prepare for retirement: