There are three planning methods or approaches, and you may switch back and forth between them if you like. Once you begin with one, you can always run the plan with the other. Or, you can create a copy of your plan and run the copy in a different planning mode.

ESPlanner is able to use Monte Carlo simulation to provide a very powerful statistical analysis to help you understand how risk factors into or changes how we view what is otherwise an average or ideal trajectory of our retirement income and living standard. We can tell the program in the assumptions inputs that we expect to earn an 8.5% return on our retirement investments. But of course the chance of this 8.5% recurring year after year without variation is not likely, to say the least.

To activate Monte Carlo simulations, check the box for Monte Carlo simulations in the Planning Method area (available only in the PLUS and PRO versions).

The Monte Carlo Folder has four tabs. The first asks you to specify (build) the portfolios you families currently hold or expect to hold in the future. You can use the program-available asset classes, or you can build your own by using the "New Asset" button.