There are few topics as dry as those related to retirement issues, and especially planning for retirement. The key is to compare the money you'll need with the income you'll have. And if the income isn't going to be enough, hopefully there will be some years remaining before you leave the workplace for good, to beef up your projected retirement income by socking more money into an IRA, a 401K, CDs, savings.

Most people over 50 receive an annual statement from the Social Security Administration, showing the years we've worked, the income and how many credits we've earned. For some, Social Security may be the only source of income, other than a little savings we've managed to squirrel away.

Major questions of a personal nature must be answered - such as where do you want to live when you retire, and what sort of lifestyle are you anticipating? Women of my generation, currently in their 50's/early 60's, may be hit the hardest. Many stayed home to raise children, or interrupted a career periodically for a new baby, returned to the work force at a lower salary and essentially had to start all over again. Some didn't enter the work force until later in life. And there are women who have never worked outside the home. Thirty years ago or more, no one expected to be able to access quality child care. Today, young mothers are demanding it.

The one wish most seniors express is, "I don't want to be a burden to my children." We'd rather not have to put a trailer in the backyard of our married son's home. We don't want to be needy old women who can't make basic ends meet, as a bottom line. We'd rather not have to work the breakfast shift at a fast food restaurant for minimum wage. But one of every two marriages in this nation ends in divorce. Many are in second, even third marriages. And many older women are currently single, and literally thrown upon their own resources.

Consulting with a financial adviser who specializes in retirement distribution analysis at $100/hour is a wise step for a person contemplating retirement. Take a detailed list of: your current budget, compared to your anticipated retirement budget needs; a recent Social Security statement; any information about a company/state/federal retirement pension; all information about Savings or Treasury Bonds, 401K, savings accounts, any other potential income you may have. Be prepared to answer such questions as, do you own your home, or do you rent? How much do you owe on credit cards

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