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Assumptions

Assumptions Screen
 
During Retirement
Enter the annual rate of return the client expects to earn on all assets during retirement.  This interest rate will be used to determine the value at retirement of all the shortfalls that may occur during retirement.
In the Event of Death
Enter the annual rate of return the surviving family members expect to earn on all assets after Client A/B die.  This interest rate will be used to determine the present value of all future shortfalls that may occur during the survivorship years.
Years to Provide Rent
IF the client is currently paying rent, enter the number of years for which the client would want to “pre-pay” the rent (by providing a “rent fund”).  This value will only be used if a “Monthly Rent” is entered in the “Debts” section of the “Assets/Debts” screen.
Months Emergency Fund
An “Emergency Fund” is an amount of money set aside to help pay expenses in the event Client A/B dies.  It is calculated by determining the MONTHLY household salaries (Client A&B combined) and multiplying by the number of months to provide.  Enter the number of month’s salary the client will provide.
Final Expenses
Final expenses are the costs associated with a death, such as final medical expenses, legal bills, burial and funeral expenses.  It is common for final expenses to range from $5,000 - $10,000. Enter the amount to illustrate at Client A/B’s death.
General Inflation Rate

Enter an assumed annual inflation rate for all salary and expense items.

The average inflation rate from 1913-2006 was 3.43%, from 1990-1999 was 3.0%, and from 2000-2006 was 2.85%.
Inflation Rate for College Costs

Enter an assumed annual inflation rate for all education expenses.

According to http://www.collegeboard.com, education expenses are project to inflate at a rate between 7% and 8% annually for the next 10 years.
Inflation Rate for Long-Term Care
Enter an assumed annual inflation rate for long-term care expenses.
Social Security Annual Increase Rate
Enter an assumed annual inflation rate for Social Security for retirement, survivor and disability benefits.
Life Expectancy
Enter the age at which the illustration will end.  The retirement analysis will end when the younger spouse reaches this age.  The calculations for the surviving analysis will end either when the spouse reaches this age, or the youngest dependent reaches age 18 – whichever is later.