Retirement planners are skilled in understanding Social Security, pensions, taxes that may accompany retirement income and more. Most importantly, they can help determine if and when you can retire and highlight potential shortfalls if you do.

Note: Estate planners are not retirement planners. Estate planners help determine where your assets go after you die.

Understandably, you might want to guard information and protect relationships with your spouse and children. However, bringing them into your decisions can lead to sound financial management conclusions understood and agreed to by all.

Timing also is key. Approach the subject before it’s too late, such as when issues like cognitive decline appear.

Also, talk about matters beyond money such as health care, estate planning, funerals and assistance from family members.

If you have a chronic condition such as COPD or diabetes, talk to your doctor about long-term scenarios and potential complications concerning your health. This may help determine how much care you might need in the future and bring projected budget forecasts into focus.

Advance directives — like a living will — are legal documents that provide guidance if you become temporarily or permanently unable to make or share decisions about your health or finances.

Even better, learn how to stick to one. Find simple tools online to get started.

Know what Medicare covers while painting your post-retirement picture.

Need it explained in plain English?

Visit our Medicare FAQs.

It’s another crucial income source for your post-retirement years.

You’ll find several helpful calculators by clicking here.

Insurance experts suggest reviewing your policies annually. Set aside time to discover potential savings.

Are cost breaks available depending on certain milestones you’ve crossed? Can you save money by bundling coverages?

Is there a policy you can dump? Is there coverage you should add?

Most people want to grow old at home. The reality is, the older you get, the less likely you’ll be able to.

The percentage of people who will live in a nursing home increases from 1 percent of people ages 65-74, to 3% for people 75-84 years old, to 10% for people 85 and older.

However, resources ranging from non-medical services at home to assisted living are there to meet older Americans’ needs.

Long-term care insurance policies cover various services and settings.

Generally, your first distribution from an IRA or 401(k) is required around age 70½.