Why is income not increasing with COLA settings/inflation

[FRPJunkie]

I have my "Inflation Average" setting on the main planner screen set to 3%. Std Deviation is set to 1%

For my two social security streams, I have COLA type set to "Track Inflation." So, the amounts of each payment should rise by 3% per year. However, both on the main planner screen and in the detailed view, the income (before and after tax) is static for the entire plan.

Even when I set the COLA type to "fixed" and add 3% in the box, the income does not change over time.

Taxable percent is set to 85%.

What is happening here.

[jimr]

All of the amounts shown in the planner are adjusted to present value dollars. This means that an amount that exactly tracks inflation won't change from year to year, reflecting that its purchasing power is unchanged.

If you set the COLA type to no-cola, in the detailed view table you'll see the amount decreases from year to year, reflecting that the cash flow is losing purchasing power each year.

Generally, any amount that stays steady from year to year is exactly keeping up with inflation. Any amount that's decreasing from year to year is not keeping up with inflation. Any amount that's increasing from year to year is growing at a rate faster than inflation.

[FRPJunkie]

All of the amounts shown in the planner are adjusted to present value dollars. This means that an amount that exactly tracks inflation won't change from year to year, reflecting that its purchasing power is unchanged.

If you set the COLA type to no-cola, in the detailed view table you'll see the amount decreases from year to year, reflecting that the cash flow is losing purchasing power each year.

Generally, any amount that stays steady from year to year is exactly keeping up with inflation. Any amount that's decreasing from year to year is not keeping up with inflation. Any amount that's increasing from year to year is growing at a rate faster than inflation.

Ok got it. Is there a way to see each income stream as a part of the total income? For example, to see how much income is from pension, how much is from Social Security#1, how much from SS#2, how much is from RMD, etc.

[jimr]

The income sources aren't shown separately, but you should be able to see RMDs. In the detail view, the top right of the window has a "show more detail" option that adds some extra columns to the table. Also, if you right-click on any column header in the detail view table, you'll see an option to show all columns, which shows everything that's available form the simulation.

[FRPJunkie]

The income sources aren't shown separately, but you should be able to see RMDs. In the detail view, the top right of the window has a "show more detail" option that adds some extra columns to the table. Also, if you right-click on any column header in the detail view table, you'll see an option to show all columns, which shows everything that's available form the simulation.

Yes, RMDs I can see. I've not figured out how to view all the columns on a laptop screen. Too narrow. Maybe on a larger monitor. Most of them are truncated.

[jimr]

After you do show all, you can then go back in and hide columns one at a time. Also, if you right-click on any cell (not cell header) you'll get a menu that allows you to export the data to an excel spreadsheet where you'll have more flexibility to display the data in whatever way that works for you.

[FRPJunkie]

After you do show all, you can then go back in and hide columns one at a time. Also, if you right-click on any cell (not cell header) you'll get a menu that allows you to export the data to an excel spreadsheet where you'll have more flexibility to display the data in whatever way that works for you.

Thanks that's helpful.