These are tough times for retirees and those planning for retirement. Retirement nest eggs have been plundered. Downsizing has forced many people into early retirement with less money to sustain the "golden years."

You can't do much about the past, but you can avoid mistakes that will make a bad situation worse.

In this series of posts, retirement expert Dan Solin discusses the ten biggest money mistakes a retiree can make.

• Mistake no. 1: Overconfidence in your investing skills
• Mistake no. 2: Using a "market beating" broker or adviser
• Mistake no. 3: Fleeing to safety
• Mistake no. 4: Believing all bonds are safe
• Mistake no. 5: Being tempted by ETFs
• Mistake no. 6: Ignoring immediate annuities
• Mistake no. 7: Retiring too early
• Mistake no. 8: Not having a current will
• Mistake no. 9: Remarrying without a prenuptial agreement
• Mistake no. 10: Taking Social Security too soon

Dan Solin is the author of the newly published book, The Smartest Retirement Book You'll Ever Read (Perigee Books 2009). His prior books include the New York Times bestsellers, The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read and The Smartest 401(k) Book You'll Ever Read. See SmartestInvestmentBook.com. Read more about Dan Solin.