As more and more baby boomers start eyeing retirement, thoughts turn from worry over the workday commute to concerns about how to fund the golden years.

How prepared are you? How much money do you really need to retire? Do you know the ins and outs of your pension (if you're lucky enough to have one)? How about your 401(k), IRA and other retirement accounts that make up your nest egg? Do you have a good handle on when to claim Social Security benefits? These are some of the questions to contemplate as retirement approaches. But long before you punch out, make sure you are making the right choices.

We've compiled a list of the biggest retirement planning mistakes and how to avoid making them. Take a look to see if any sound familiar.

Relocating on a Whim

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The lure of warmer climates has long been the siren call of many who are approaching retirement. So you're cooking up a plan to head south to Florida or one of the many other great places to retire if you hate the cold. Our advice: Test the waters before you make a permanent move.

Too many folks have trudged off willy-nilly to what they thought was a dream destination only to find that it's more akin to a nightmare. The pace of life is too slow, everyone is a stranger, and endless rounds of golf and walks on the beach grow tiresome. Well before your retirement date, spend extended vacation time in your anointed destination to get a feel for the people and lifestyle. This is especially true if you're thinking about retiring overseas, where new languages, laws and customs can overwhelm even the hardiest retirees.

Once you do make the plunge, consider renting before buying. A couple I know circled Savannah, Ga., for their retirement nest. But wisely, as it turned out, they decided to lease an apartment downtown for a year before building or buying a new home in the suburbs. Turns out the Deep South didn't suit their Northern Virginia get-it-done-now temperament. They are instead thinking of joining the