Here are 2 ways Americans can prepare for the perceived No. 1 threat to their retirement savings.

Despite a decrease in U.S. inflation from its June 2022 high, Americans still consider rising costs as the biggest obstacle to a comfortable retirement, according to an October survey by Allianz Life.

According to a survey by Allianz Life, which polled 1,000 people aged 25 and above who earn over $25,000, nearly 40% of respondents identified "rising everyday costs" as the biggest threat to their retirement income.

According to respondents, the top three factors that pose the greatest threats to their retirement savings are:

1. Everyday costs increasing (42%)
2. Outliving money (35%)
3. Health-care costs (32%)

Many Americans worry that their limited retirement savings may not last long enough due to higher costs, as they have not accumulated much savings to begin with.

According to an August CNBC Your Money retirement survey conducted with SurveyMonkey, approximately 36% of retirees have less than $50,000 saved. Additionally, more than half of survey respondents felt they didn't save enough for retirement, while about a third felt they saved just enough.

To ensure you have enough savings to sustain you during your post-work years, consider taking the following steps: explore two options.

Contribute enough to receive any employer match

According to a June Vanguard report, approximately 46% of workers either contribute less than their employer's match or do not participate in their workplace retirement savings plan.

If your employer offers matching contributions to a retirement savings account, you may be missing out on additional funds if you don't contribute enough to receive the full match.

Setting aside more of your paycheck for retirement may seem daunting, but you don't have to do it all at once. Instead, you can begin by setting your retirement contributions to automatically increase by 1% each year until you reach your savings rate goal. Fidelity suggests a savings rate of 15%, which includes your employer's match.

Ensure that you do not exceed the retirement contributions limit of $23,500 for 2025 when contributing to your 401(k)s and other employer-sponsored retirement accounts, including 403(b)s and most governmental 457 plans.

Consider delaying claiming Social Security benefits

Beginning to claim your Social Security monthly benefit is possible at age 62. Nevertheless, delaying the start of benefits can result in larger payments.

For every year you delay claiming Social Security between your full retirement age and age 70, your benefit increases by 8%.

"Delaying retirement for a few years can significantly increase your guaranteed inflation-adjusted income, according to Anne Lester, a retirement expert and author of "Your Best Financial Life: Save Smart Now for the Future You Want," as she shared with CNBC Make It in March."

Consulting with a financial advisor can assist you in creating a tailored plan to achieve your retirement goals and maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

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