Q I will be 66 in November and plan on drawing Social Security. I was laid off earlier this year and am trying to decide if I should look for more work or if I can retire. I have assets in cash, mutual funds and property, so I think I may be OK, but I'm not sure. Do you know of a good online retirement calculator? The ones I've seen are so confusing, asking for assumptions about inflation, etc., I'm never sure what to put down.

JOAN

A There is no shortage of financial planning software and online tools. The trade-off is always between ease and simplicity vs. comprehensive and detailed.

Many of the simpler retirement calculators on the Web are decent for asking quick questions and getting a suggestive answer. But as you have already noted, you need to decide how well you're doing after taking into account Social Security, mutual funds, your home and so on.

I favor two online sites for financial planning pre- and post-retirement. Both offer free online planning tools, as well as articles and other sources of information. They charge for the more sophisticated versions of their online offerings. Their free online tools are a good way to get guidance on specific planning questions. But for the kind of broad issue you're facing you'll need the comprehensive programs.

The site www.analyzenow.com is run by Henry (Bud) Hebeler. Formerly president of Boeing's giant aerospace unit, Hebeler has had a second career dispensing conservative financial advice on his website and in books. Savings is the core of his approach. He has the best Social Security calculators I've yet found. It's well worth the time to check out his planning programs.

Boston University economics Prof. Laurence Kotlikoff is also head of ESPlanner. At www.esplanner.com Kotlikoff puts spending at the center of his financial planning programs. He has a basic, free plan that takes into account many aspects of our finances, including federal and state taxes and Social Security. ESPlanner's centerpiece program is dense, time-consuming, and requires lots of your financial data. The benefit is that it also spews out a lot of interesting analysis and suggestions.

One last thought: I'm a big believer in do-it-yourself programs like these. But sometimes it pays to get the insight of a professional, especially at major transition points in our lives. You could consult with a fee-only financial planner who will crunch the numbers for you and go over your options. You don't need a planner to sell you products or manage your money. You want a well-informed blueprint that lays out where you are now financially and whether or not you can retire.

Look for someone with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. It tells you that the planner has had rigorous training and keeps up with required continuing education. When it comes to finding a financial planner, the best way is to network with friends and colleagues you trust.

Chris Farrell is economics editor for American Public Media's "Marketplace Money." Send questions to cfarrell@mpr.org.