You probably have worked your whole life and have at least passively thought about how you would spend your retirement. Maybe you would travel to see grandchildren, enjoy leisure time with friends, or even spend more time with your spouse or significant other.

This is a good idea, but shouldn’t a retirement plan go farther out than 12 months? How much is needed? At what age could you realistically retire? Where do you start looking for information, and what should you be looking for?

Many people aren’t sure where to look or how to even begin. With so many retirement planning services out there, it can be hard to decide which provider suits your needs.

One of the best things you can do is ask family and friends if they have a financial planner helping them plan for retirement, and if they are happy with the service they receive. You can also check with your financial institution. Many times, your bank or credit union will have a representative on staff or work with a third party that is certified in financial planning.

You can also review larger companies that specialize in retirement planning online to find a local agent. Always proceed with caution when looking online and meet the advisor in person before ever sharing personal information.

Talk with a few different planners before making a decision so you can compare and contrast their approaches, fees and how comfortable you feel dealing with each one. When you do sit down with a certified financial planner to discuss your retirement, don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions. You are entrusting this person with your life savings, and the decision shouldn’t be taken lightly.

What experience do you have?

Find a financial planner that has experience in retirement planning. You want to ensure you are not wasting your time or money on someone that will not help you reach your goals.

What qualifications do you have?

Make sure that the person you are dealing with has the proper training and qualifications. Ask them if they are recognized as a Certified Financial Planner professional or CFP practitioner, a Certified Public Accountant – Personal Financial Specialist (CPA-PFS), a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) or a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). There are more than 50 designations, but these are the most common.

Your financial planner should also have experience with a variety of planning topics, such as insurance, tax planning, investments, estate planning and retirement planning. Your planner should take steps to stay current with changes or developments in the financial planning field.

Are you the only person I’ll work with?

A financial planner may work with you directly, or they may have someone in the office assist them. Be sure to meet everyone and become familiar with them.

How much will a retirement plan cost?

The amount paid will most likely depend on individual needs. A financial planner should be able to provide an estimate of possible costs based on the initial consultation. There are a number of ways a financial planner can be compensated. The three most common forms of compensation are commission, flat fees and fees based on assets. Review this thoroughly before signing any document with a planner.

These questions are important, but feel free to ask about whatever else you feel is important for you to know as well. You will need to feel comfortable with your retirement planner, because this is someone you will need to share financial and personal information with to reach your goals. So take the time to make sure you are properly prepared for retirement.