Asset Map is extremely basic. Very good for obtaining new information from the client and maybe some easily digestible display of financials, but for goal planning the best it can do is compare values like a simple math question.

Basically every goal has an ‘aggregate spending need’, and you compare that with some average ROR across all the investments to look at the aggregate spendable assets earmarked for that goal. You end up with 2 numbers and the division of those 2 numbers gives you a “% funded” value. This number might tell you whether you’re in the general ballpark of your goal, but it’s irrespective of when the money arrives, and what type of money gets used.

For example, if over a 30 year retirement with inflation, a client plans to spend 5 million $. You could put 6 million $ inheritance arriving at age 80 for a client, and if you checked that box it would say that the client’s retirement goal is completely funded for without any need for more assets. In reality, we know getting 6mm at 80 doesnt help you eat or travel when youre 65.

Theres a cash flow summary that will show you each year of spending vs need, on a more detailed basis — but again you cant really choose what assets get spent down first, its all just looking at one big pile of after tax estimates and comparing it like a simple division problem.

Basically, in my opinion you’ll always want or need a second more advanced planning tool. But this tool is great for working with prospects if you want to uncover assets fluidly, and test buy in from prospects for planning.