As we move closer to our eventual retirement, some people start the process with a pre-retirement plan. This Pre-retirement planning process starts with a shifting awareness that retirement is at the doorstep, rather than say, the next ten to twelve years away. Doing so will help you adjust your focus and your thoughts towards the event in a more relaxed way. It provides a lot more time to become accustomed to the concept of lifestyle changes retirement offers.

Pre-retirement planning also provides the opportunity to redeploy investments and other finances or estate considerations with upcoming lifestyle changes, making the transition easier and less stressful.

To that end, we've prepared these 12 questions as the preamble into the pre-retirement planning process. There's no right or wrong answer for some, others perhaps an awakening, or simply just points of consideration and benchmarks.

1. Have you and your spouse discussed your retirement plans or goals?
2. Do you know what retirement options are available to you?
3. Have you talked about retiring at the same time, possible forced retirement and its impact, or your partner becoming critically ill or their demise?
4. Have you estimated what your retirement income will be from your registered saving plans or other investments?
5. Have you considered your retirement income and how it matches your retirement goals?
6. Do you continue to search for retirement options to enhance your savings or retirement lifestyle?
7. Do you have an automatic contribution to an RRSP or pension plan, or scramble to annually contribute?
8. Have you prepared an emergency fund or otherwise prepared for unexpected events such as disability or illness?
9. Have you reviewed your personal insurance for you, your spouse and are they in-tune with your present day obligations or future plans?
10. Do you and your spouse have a current will? Are you both familiar with each other's investment portfolios or charitable donations?
11. Do the appropriate family members know the location of all-important documents?
12. Have you considered what type of accommodation you'll need in retirement?

If you've answered yes to seven or more, you're in good shape. However, between three and six and working on the others with time in hand, you're also in good shape. For everybody else, remember it's only a pre-retirement planning review; while offering ways and guidance towards becoming more secure in retirement - it's a good place to start.

To assist you in some of the above noted areas, I've included this list of linked-items that address some of the issues this article raises.

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