The start of a new year is a great time to make some resolutions that could change your personal financial picture for the better. One such pledge is to sock away more money for retirement in the coming year — an especially crucial move for folks who are currently behind on savings. Here are five ways to make that happen.

1. Bank your raise If you were lucky enough to snag a raise this year, you have a great opportunity to set aside more funds for the future without impacting your day-to-day quality of life. If you take the extra money your raise gives you and stick it directly into your 401(k) or IRA, you’ll boost your long-term savings without having to cut back on expenses. And since we’re talking about saving money you’re not used to getting, it’s not cash you’ll actually miss.

2. Snag your full 401(k) match If your company offers a 401(k) match, you have a real opportunity to boost your retirement savings in the coming year — provided you contribute enough of your own money to snag that match in full. The average employer contribution for a 401(k) plan is currently 5.1% of employee pay, according to the Plan Sponsor Council of America, and that’s the highest figure it has on record. Since the average American earns $46,641 a year, that translates into $2,379 in free money. Of course, you’ll need to consult your specific 401(k) to see what sort of match you’re entitled to, but the point is that if you contribute enough to get it, you’ll add to your savings easily.

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