Description: With the decline in traditional defined benefit plans, cutbacks in Social Security already legislated, and further ones possibly needed to maintain solvency, retirees increasingly must rely on their own ability to manage their retirement income. Relatively few retirees purchase annuities, leaving them with investment and distribution decisions concerning their accumulated savings. Increasing life expectancy and improved health at older ages raise the issue of whether people should consider postponing retirement as a way of assuring adequate resources during retirement. During retirement, they face complex issues concerning how to manage various risks. Increasingly, people planning for retirement have access to financial planning software, much of it available over the internet for free. This study, sponsored by the Society of Actuaries and the Actuarial Foundation, assesses the extent to which the retirement planning programs analyzed help users understand post-retirement risks.

Description: This program allows the user to explore in great detail a technical problem that has occupied a number of investors, financial writers and especially retirees, during the last few years, as the baby boomers start to approach retirement. Namely, what is the probability that one will run out of money before running out of life, if his or her current standard of living is maintained? This is a zip file which includes the Retirement Probability Analyzer software, an instruction manual and a PowerPoint presentation explaining the program.

Description: This report reviews retirement planning software programs currently available to individuals and their professional advisors. The report does not rate or recommend specific programs. Rather, it explains how programs that are currently available work, and what features can be improved.