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What if retirement is just around the corner and you haven't saved enough? Here are some tips. Some are painful, but they'll help you toward your goal.

• It's never too late to start. It's only too late if you don't start at all.

• Sock it away. Pump everything you can into your tax-sheltered retirement plans and personal savings. Try to put away at least 20 percent of your income.

• Reduce expenses. Funnel the savings into your nest egg.

• Take a second job or work extra hours.

• Aim for higher returns. Don't invest in anything you are uncomfortable with, but see if you can't squeeze out better returns.

• Retire later. You may not need to work full time beyond your planned retirement age. Part time may be enough.

• Refine your goal. You may have to live a less expensive lifestyle in retirement.

• Delay taking Social Security. Benefits will be higher when you start taking them.

• Make use of your home. Rent out a room or move to a less expensive home and save the profits.

• Sell assets that are not producing much income or growth, such as underdeveloped land or vacation home, and invest in income-producing assets.