I am just starting the build process. I've run into an issue that likely is user error on the Active Accounts Allocation, Mode 2, Portfolio Allocation tab.
I entered all the accounts that we have in the "Account Initial Balance" section. However, on Asset Allocation/Location tab there are 7 accounts that we didn't enter(wife's Tax-deferred, 2 inherited IRA accounts, 2 inherited Roth accounts, a generic Roth account, and a 529). It doesn't show all the accounts that I did entered in the "Account Initial Balance" section. There are 10 columns of accounts listed, but only 2 are the accounts that I entered. So, I can't enter the allocation and location information.
It appears as if all the accounts that were entered in Account Initial Balance are not updated in the Asset Allocation/Location tab regardless of which Mode is selected. I'm kind of stuck going forward at this point. Any ideas?
The program aggregates all your cash accounts into one entry, all your other taxable accounts into one entry, all your tax deferred into one entry, etc. as that is how the program is going to track things year by year. The purpose of Mode 2 is that while it's best to keep your bonds in tax deferred, you also want to control your risk by keeping your overall portfolio asset allocation at your target. As you go through life and add to tax deferred, then perhaps do Roth Conversions and eventually take RMDs, Mode 2 keeps you on track. That's critically important and most calculator tools don't do it. The program doesn't try to specifically track, say, a taxable account at Fidelity vs. one at Vanguard as that's not important to the big picture.
@ricke Thanks Richard. I think I understand. Thanks for the explanation that makes sense.
