When you are considering your retirement goals, remember that having a plan to deal with your debt is just as important as planning for your retirement income. Planning your retirement income is something we are trained to do from a very early age. Planning to deal with your debt isn’t.

If you’re considering taking out student loans or securing financing for your education, there are certain questions you need to ask yourself, and perhaps your loan provider as well, before you jump in.

It’s never too early, or too late, to work towards becoming debt free, especially as you approach retirement.