Sure, cover the essentials. Do retirement things year after year. What if you’re slower? Increase your contribution rate, even just 1% annually. Basics Of Retirement PlanningSure, cover the essentials. Do the right things year after year. However, you should do specific things to ensure a secure retirement, said Kirsten Hunter Peterson. Ms. Peterson is director of Fidelity Investments’ Workplace Thought Leadership team. The simplest thing to do is not to leave money on the table, Peterson said. In other words, that includes maxing out your 401(k) or comparable plan to maximize your employer’s …