For younger workers, in their 20s and 30s, retirement may seem so far off on the horizon that thinking about things such as Social Security may barely register.

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Yet young people have the unique advantage their older peers don’t — a longer time to save, invest and earn interest.

Experts explained what young workers should be doing now to prepare for retirement and possible changes to Social Security by the time they’re old enough to access benefits.

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Accept the Uncertainty of Social Security

The first consideration for young workers thinking about retirement, according to Steven Kibbel, CFP and owner of Kibbel Financial Planning, is to budget without counting on Social Security benefits at all.

“Although it may be alluring to rely only on Social Security, its future is unclear,” he said.

Different projections suggest the Social Security Reserve may be significantly reduced at best as early as 2034, or completely depleted at worst. While you can’t control the fact that you still need to pay into Social Security, you can prioritize other kinds of saving and investing strategies.

Start Small and Start Now

While investing can sound like something people only do when they’ve amassed a lot of money, Kibbel argued that even putting away a small amount over time adds up.

“Compound interest is one of the most effective strategies available to young people. Even if it’s only a tiny portion of your salary, the earlier you begin saving for retirement, the longer your money has to grow,” he said.

A modest monthly investment still has the chance to compound exponentially over time.

“Investing even 4%-5% of your earnings now will yield greater growth potential than delaying larger contributions until later in life,” Kibbel said.

“As the old adage goes, ‘the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is now,'” Kibbel said.

This perfectly encapsulates why young workers should start thinking about their financial future today.

Take Advantage of Employer Benefits

Additionally, young workers may not have even investigated what sort of employer benefits they have access to, but it’s important to find out if your employer is offering a 401(k) match.

If you don’t take it, Kibbel said, “It’s like leaving money on the table if you don’t contribute your fair share to the match.”

Not only do you earn extra money via the match, but pretax contributions to retirement funds also reduce your taxable income immediately.

Invest Across Different Assets

If you are getting savvy with investing, Kibbel suggested you think about diversified assets like traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs, which can offer flexibility with tax-free withdrawals in retirement, in addition to your 401(k).

“In order to balance stocks, bonds and other investment options and distribute risk over a variety of assets, young investors should educate themselves on portfolio diversification.”

Consider Future Inflation

Younger workers may not think as much about the future, so inflation may be less top of mind, but they should remember that costs tend to rise, Kibbel said.

“It is imperative to budget for future expenses as prices will only rise. To ensure financial stability, you should set a realistic retirement goal, which should be in the millions given the present trends in cost of living.”

Tap Into ‘Gig Economy’ Retirement Plans

As someone who has worked closely with both traditional employees and gig economy workers, Angelo Crocco, CPA and owner of AC Accounting, has noticed a significant gap in retirement planning options for freelancers and those balancing multiple jobs.

“It can be tough to think about retirement when your income is variable. However, there are some fantastic options out there, like the Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA,” he said. “These plans are designed specifically for people like you, allowing you to save for retirement while still enjoying the flexibility of your work.”

He recommended platforms like Gusto or Lattice to help you set up these accounts tailored to your unique income flow.

Utilize Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for Retirement

Crocco said that another overlooked retirement savings vehicle is the health savings account (HSAs), which he called “a hidden gem.”

He explained, “They offer some awesome tax benefits like tax-deductible contributions and tax-free growth.”

If you can hold off on using your HSA funds for medical expenses right away, let that money grow. After age 65, you can take money out for any reason without penalty, making HSAs a smart tool in your retirement kit.

Foster Side Hustles To Build in Flexibility

Retirement doesn’t have to mean sitting back and doing nothing, Crocco said.

“In fact, many people find great joy and fulfillment in continuing to work through side hustles or passion projects. Whether it’s consulting, freelancing or creating online courses, these activities can keep you mentally sharp and socially connected.”

Younger people have the time to develop hobbies and interests into income streams later on.

The best plan for young workers is to expect less of a Social Security safety net and take steps to save and invest as much as you can for as long as you can.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Future of Social Security for Young Workers: 8 Things You Should Do Now