Retirement can feel like a distant concept, especially early in your career, but the earlier you start planning, the more time your money has to grow. Thanks to compound interest, even small contributions made in your 20s and 30s can grow into significant sums by the time you retire.

If your employer offers a retirement plan like a 401(k) or 403(b), that’s a great place to start. Many employers offer a matching contribution. For example, they might match 50 cents for every dollar you contribute, up to a certain percentage of your salary. This is essentially free money, so contributing at least enough to get the full match should be a priority.

Within your retirement account, you’ll typically choose from a menu of investment options. If you’re unsure where to start, target-date funds are designed to automatically adjust your investment mix based on your expected retirement year. They’re a solid, low-maintenance choice for many people.

If you don’t have access to an employer-sponsored plan, an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is another option. Traditional IRAs offer tax-deductible contributions, while Roth IRAs allow your money to grow and be withdrawn tax-free in retirement. The right choice depends on your current and expected future tax situation.

A general rule of thumb is to aim to save 10-15% of your pre-tax income for retirement, but if that’s not possible right now, start with what you can and increase gradually. Even 1% more per year makes a difference.

Retirement planning doesn’t have to be complicated. The most important thing is to start, even modestly, and to let time and consistency do the heavy lifting.