Investment returns

In the Lifetime Planner, investment returns represent the annual growth rate you expect on your savings and investments. You can enter separate returns for the periods before and after retirement.

Before retirement return

This is the annual rate of return you expect from now until retirement. It applies to both current investments and future savings.

Use cases:

• You're invested in a 401(k) and estimate a 6% return through retirement.

• You hold conservative taxable investments and project a 4% annual return.

After retirement return

This is the return you expect once retired. It reflects a more cautious investment strategy for post-retirement years.

Use cases:

• You plan to shift to bonds after retirement and expect a 3.5% return.

• You want to test how a lower return affects your ability to fund expenses.

Tax considerations

You can apply one return rate to all investments or set separate returns for taxable and tax-deferred accounts. Quicken also lets you define what portion of taxable gains is subject to annual tax. For conservative planning, enter 100%.