Seventy percent of workers say they’re at least a little behind schedule when it comes to saving for retirement, according to the Employment Benefit Research Institute’s 2011 Retirement Confidence Survey. (And forty percent say they’re a lot behind where they’d like to be.)

Are you on track? The Department of Labor offers these ten tips for getting ready for retirement:

1. Start saving, keep saving, and stick to your goals. The important thing is getting started, even if you only contribute a few dollars a month at first.
   
   
2. Know your retirement needs. One rule of thumb says you’ll need 70% of your pre-retirement income to retire comfortably.
   
   
3. Contribute to your employer’s retirement savings plan. You’ll save on taxes and employers often kick in as well.
   
   
4. Learn about your employer’s pension plan. Are you covered? Take time to learn how the plan works.
   
   
5. Consider basic investment principles. Diversifying your savings can protect you against inflation and other hazards.
   
   
6. Don’t touch your retirement savings. Taking money early can mean losing principal, interest, and tax savings. Don’t do it!
   
   
7. Ask your employer to start a plan. If your employer doesn’t offer a plan, request one. There are a lot of potential benefits for businesses as well as employees.
   
   
8. Put money into an Individual Retirement Account. Ask a Summit Financial Advisor about the benefits of a credit union IRA.
   
   
9. Find out about Social Security benefits. You should receive an annual statement that tells you what to expect from your benefit.
   
   
10. Ask questions. Summit Financial Advisors are always available to answer your questions and help you plan to meet your financial goals.