The best time to think about your retirement is always the present. Perhaps it’s only a few years away, but then again even if you’re young, don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s too early to prepare.

What if an accident forces you into early retirement and renders you unable to provide for your family? You surely get the point. Planning for your retirement basically means becoming genuinely financially secure. Most countries have some kind of pension system in place. But if you simply rely on that and call it a day, you’re making a huge mistake.

If your currency depreciates dramatically, your country defaults, or something else along those lines happens, the pension system might fail miserably. What to do? Here are 5 tips to get you started:

1. Even if you’re an optimist, be pessimistic when making financial plans and prepare for worse case scenarios.
2. Try to have a truly diversified portfolio. If you own your home, and precious metals, consider buying some stocks. If you own your home and stocks, consider buying precious metals, and so on.
3. Aim for income sources that are as passive as possible. Managing 5 rental units might be easy when you’re young, but if your health deteriorates that will change.
4. Consider moving to a more retirement friendly area. One that is perhaps less remote, gives you better access to medical facilities, and so on.
5. Convince your family members and friends to become more financially resilient as well. You’re social circle should be an asset and not a burden as you age.