All good things invariably come to an end. Even your cushy job would end when you reach your retirement age. Are you aware of the options available which enable you to continue earning, even post-retirement? In case you think that the money which the government returns to you after retirement would be enough to see you through, you are in for a sad surprise. Even your Social Security Card is not of much help during these autumn years.

By this time you need someone to guide you through your retirement planning. Retirement planning suggests planning ahead for your retirement. You of course want to have a life with at least the same financial freedom as you are experiencing right now. This means you need to plan your retirement with financial planning. A financial planning retirement planner can work wonders for you.

But when you are hiring a financial planning retirement planner, you have to keep certain things in mind. Otherwise, you will see no improvement in your financial situation at the end of day. The following is a list of qualifications that your financial planner must have.

First, your financial planner's education supersedes your expectation as much as possible. He must hold a bachelor's degree in any finance branch with investment planning in particular. A master's degree is much better. Also, he must have graduated from a very reputable institution.

Second, you have to look at his credentials. Is he affiliated with a highly regarded financial institution? This may look both good and bad choice for you. If he is connected to a particular institution, he might only push the plans his financial institution where he is connected to is offering. If he works independently, you may have doubts about his reputation. Check first the financial institution where he is affiliated with and if you can trust them and you like their investment options, then you may proceed with the financial planner that they provide for you.

Your financial planner must have all the knowledge and expertise of the various retirement benefit plans that are open in the market. You might want to ask him on IRA plans, or better known as pension funds, and the 401(K) plans. Both plans are qualified employer contribution plans that can afford you with good advantages. He should have a large bowl of knowledge when it comes to these plans. Don't be afraid to ask him a lot of questions that you are not very much aware of. Definitely, if you are an employed individual, you will have to use one of these plans.

The other responsibility of your financial planner is his ability to guide you through various viable investment options. When they advise you to invest in real estate or mutual funds, it is your job to learn and understand as much as possible about the features and benefits of such investments. Your planner should be able to explain to you the details of these investments, making it easy for you.

Referral is not necessary when you want to hire a financial planner. This is because financial planners give different advice to different individuals. He should not be giving you the same advice as your friend if you have the same financial planner. What he should tell you depends on your current financial condition. It is also very important that your financial planner should be fully aware of all tax implications. A great retirement financial planner will provide you with several options that will allow your investments to save on tax as well.