This planner is intended to trigger thoughts about some key items affecting your retirement budget.

It is a starting point for planning the financial side of this new phase of your life. Obviously, not all of these questions apply to your situation right now. However, the answers to those questions that are relevant can have a significant impact on your selection of a retirement income vehicle.

We hope this checklist and the section for listing your projected living costs will help you structure a sound financial base for your retirement. May it be long, healthy and happy.

PRINT THIS HANDY RETIREMENT BUDGET PLANNER

The answers to the following questions have implications for where you may want to live in retirement. Because a physical move across or out of Canada can have serious financial implications, these questions should be addressed at an early stage.

1) Where do you want to live?
2) How close do you want to be to your children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, or other members of your family.
3) What kind of people do you want to be with?
4) What kind of activities do you look forward to?

 SHELTER

You are probably living in the home where you raised your family. However, you may be planning to move when you retire, either because your current home is too large or costs too much to maintain, or because you simply want to live elsewhere ( as considered in the Place section above).

1.Will you continue to live in your preset home?

If Yes:
2. Is it Mortgage free?

If No:
3) a) Do you plan to buy a less expensive home?
3) b) Will you be able to pay for it outright using the equity from your present home?
3)c) What will you do with the excess cash, if any, after purchasing your new home?