Source: Michelle Singletary, Washington Post ( Free Registration )

My guest for last week’s online chat was Stan Hinden, author of “How to Retire Happy: The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire.” Hinden’s book was the Color of Money Book Club selection for April. Here are his answers to questions he couldn’t get to during the discussion.

Q: What do you wish you knew about pension payouts?

Hinden: When considering spousal benefits, it is important to figure out your current financial situation while you are still alive and the likely financial situation of your spouse when you die. That arithmetic will help you decide how much of a spousal benefit you want to leave.

Read Full Article: Michelle’s Mailbag: a chat on retirement