Ahead of you lies the freest, most exciting time of your life--when you choose wisely about the requirements of retirement. Money is the starting point, and all the big decisions are reduced to clear, essential instructions, including checklists for spouses to compare notes. Follow the how-to guide for keeping track of your assets, so you know when and how to apply for Social Security, maneuver the Medicare maze, and file retiree taxes. Special section: senior scams to watch out for. Once you're in control of your money, try the valuable tips as you consider a second career, travel, volunteer work, and whether to move or stay in your home. Since health and relationships go hand in hand, enjoy the conversation starters on what to do when one of you is retired and the other isn't, or when one of you wants to work and the other wants to play.