A happy retirement doesn’t just happen by itself. You’ve got to make it happen, and that involves lots of careful planning and asking yourself what you really want from your post-working life.

The most obvious answer to that question is money, as we’ll all want financial security when we retire.

But that’s not all. We’ll want financial freedom too, so we can enjoy the life we want to live, and perhaps the one we’ve always dreamed of, without having to count the pennies.

That leads us nicely on to the other factors that contribute to a happy retirement.

For example, many will prioritise living in a desirable area, with house prices that they can afford, good amenities close by, such as shops and healthcare, low crime rates and plenty of green spaces locally.

Some, meanwhile, might also want to enjoy an active lifestyle, so they’d choose somewhere that offers opportunities to enjoy their chosen hobbies and pastimes, volunteer or build a social group with like-minded people.

If these things are of value to you, it’s really important that you consider them as you plan for retirement and make sure you’re saving or investing enough money. Otherwise, you may not be able to afford to live in an area that offers what you want.

Retirement should be a special time, when you can relax, indulge in leisure pursuits and enjoy precious family moments free of worry. But that’s less likely to happen if you haven’t taken the appropriate steps to maximise your income in later life, and worked out exactly how much you’re likely to need to do the things you want to do.

A financial planner can work with you to put together a bespoke retirement plan,, with your circumstances, needs, priorities and goals being considered every step of the way.

With the right advice and support, you’ll be in a much better position to set up your finances in a way that pays off for you in retirement.