No matter how close a couple may be, there are always unvoiced ambitions that may thwart other plans -- especially when it comes to retirement. The solution? Get talking. (Photo: Shutterstock)

As workers approach retirement, they're not necessarily preparing in all the ways they should be—from financial to psychological. And part of that preparation is having some essential conversations with those around them to ensure that they will have a successful retirement once they reach that milestone. According to Carla Dearing, CEO of mobile financial wellness service Sum180, people aren't necessarily including chats with some very important people about some equally important aspects of retirement planning—to spouses or partners, to employers and to adult children—when they think of retirement planning. Yet those talks could be key to retirement's success—particularly since a little advance warning to the folks on the other side of the conversation can make all the difference in the world between hurt feelings, closed doors and even anger, or confidence, continuing long-term business relationships and better family relationships. There's a lot more to retirement than money, although money is an element in just about every aspect to be considered. And no matter how close a couple may be, there are always unvoiced ambitions that may thwart other plans. In fact, sometimes retirement is the tipping point in an otherwise rocky union that looked fine on the surface for years. To get the most out of retirement, and forestall as many potential business and personal problems as possible, workers need to look beyond the financial part of planning and resolve some of the other potential obstacles to enjoying the years ahead. Below are five conversations Dearing says would-be retirees really must have before they leave the workplace behind for good. BenefitsPRO related reading: 5 things to know about Americans and retirement planning 7 retirement tips for women