I’m 54 and will soon get a $6K monthly pension. Who can help me afford Florida?

Answer: Congratulations on socking away a solid retirement fund on top of a pending pension. That said, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered to determine how comfortable your Florida retirement will be — and if you have questions, a financial adviser might be a good idea right now. (Looking for a financial adviser too? This free tool can match you to a fiduciary adviser who might meet your needs.)

Have an issue with your financial adviser or looking for a new one? Email picks@marketwatch.com.

The answer to your main question of affording Florida is: It depends — there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to calculating whether or not you can retire comfortably to Florida.

The first step you should take is to create a detailed budget for your retirement years. Consider expected living costs, healthcare expenses, travel and any other major expenses. “Many make the mistake of setting up a monthly budget, but keep out significant milestones that are often costly, such as paying for their child’s wedding,” says certified financial planner Ryan Haiss at Flynn Zito Capital Management. 

Next, you should figure out your plan for housing. “Will you be selling your current property and purchasing a new home in Florida? Will you have leftover funds to invest and use as an income stream? There may be tax savings by moving to Florida but there may be other increased expenses, and some insurance providers have stopped insuring Florida altogether given the significant cost of insurance,” says Haiss.

Indeed, it’s unclear where your mortgage will be in 2 years when you retire, though the rate and remaining balance are still good to know. “You haven’t shared your home equity, though presumably, you’d sell the house where you live now in order to buy another one in Florida,” says certified financial planner Chris Chen at Insight Financial Strategists. 

There’s no doubt that there are perks that come with moving to Florida. In addition to the climate, there is no state individual income tax. “However, take into account that every day more people are moving. Housing prices are rising and so is the cost of home insurance against hurricanes,” says certified financial planner Alonso Rodriguez Segarra at Advise Financial. 

Another factor to take into account are tax projections. “If the 401(k) funds are all pre-tax dollars, any distributions will be taxable and there may be penalties if funds are withdrawn prior to 59 ½ years old. That will impact your retirement plan if you’re preparing to retire at 57,” says Haiss.

It also sounds like you haven’t taken into account your Social Security allowance. “It’s possible that your pension is one that comes with a government pension offset which would explain why you didn’t include it. On the other hand, maybe you’re thinking it’s far out enough that it doesn’t factor into your calculation,” says Chen.

Should you get an adviser?

If this all sounds like a lot to deal with, well, it is. “Working with a CFP that specializes in retirement planning is a good place to start. I always tell clients, ‘this may be your first retirement, but it’s not ours.’ We have learned from the mistakes that others have made in retirement and that can be invaluable advice when planning for your own retirement,” says Haiss. (Looking for a financial adviser too? This free tool can match you to a fiduciary adviser who might meet your needs.)

You may want to look for a fee-only CFP. Fee-only financial planners are paid directly by the client and they don’t receive commissions for recommending financial products, so their advice is less biased. In order to become a CFP, these advisers are required to have thousands of hours of work-related experience, complete financial planning coursework and operate as a fiduciary — which means they are required to put your best interests ahead of their own. 

Interview at least three advisers before making a selection too; most will give you a complimentary session and some advice for free. MarketWatch Picks has put together this list of questions you can ask an adviser during the interview process. 

Consult the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), Fee Only Network, the CFP Board or use this free tool to get matched with a financial adviser who might meet your needs. You can opt for a planner who does a one-time financial plan for you (you will then carry out their advice), or someone who helps you on an ongoing basis.

Have an issue with your financial adviser or looking for a new one? Email picks@marketwatch.com.