Definitions

Investment goal

Your goal for the total value of your investment or investments.

Years to accumulate

The number of years you have to save.

Amount of initial investment

Total you amount you will initially invest or have currently have invested toward your investment goal.

Periodic contribution

The amount you will contribute each period to your investment. You are also able to select whether you wish to have your contribution happen at the beginning or the end of the period.

Contribution frequency

The frequency you will make regular contributions to this investment.

Compound interest

Interest on an investment's interest, plus previous interest. The more frequently this occurs, the sooner your accumulated interest will generate additional interest. You should check with your financial institution to find out how often interest is being compounded on your particular investment.

Make deposits at beginning of the period

Check this box to have all additional contributions happen at the beginning of each period. Uncheck this box for the end of the period. Making contributions at the beginning of each period allows your money to begin earning a return immediately increasing your return.

Rate of return on investment

This is the rate of return you expect from your investments. You are also able to select the frequency that earnings are compounded in your investment account. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select. The S&P 500 for the 10 years ending Dec. 31st, 2012 had an annual compounded rate of return of 7.1%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1970 through the end of 2012, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 10.1% (source: www.standardandpoors.com). Since 1970, the highest 12-month return was 61% (June 1982 through June 1983). The lowest 12-month return was -43% (March 2008 to March 2009). Savings accounts at a bank may pay as little as 0.25% or less but carry significantly lower risk of loss of principal balances.

It is important to remember that these scenarios are hypothetical and that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index and the compounded rate of return noted above does not reflect sales charges and other fees that funds and/or investment companies may charge.

Expected inflation rate

This is what you expect for the average long-term inflation rate. A common measure of inflation in the US is the Consumer Price Index (CPI). From 1925 through 2012, the CPI has a long-term average of 3.0% annually. Over the last 40 years, the highest CPI recorded was 13.5% in 1980.

Federal marginal tax rate

Your Federal marginal tax rate. Use the table below to assist you in estimating your Federal 2013 tax rate.

Filing Status and Income Tax Rates 2013*
Tax Rate	Married Filing Jointly or Qualified Widow(er)	Single	Head of Household	Married Filing Separately
10%	$0 - $17,850	$0 - $8,925	$0 - $12,750	$0 - $8,925
15%	$17,850 - $72,500	$8,925 - $36,250	$12,750 - $48,600	$8,925 - $36,250
25%	$72,500 - $146,400	$36,250 - $87,850	$48,600 - $125,450	$36,250 - $73,200
28%	$146,400 - $223,050	$87,850 - $183,250	$125,450 - $203,150	$73,200 - $111,525
33%	$223,050 - $398,350	$183,250 - $398,350	$203,150 - $398,350	$111,525 - $199,175
35%	$398,350 - $450,000	$398,350 - $400,000	$398,350 - $425,000	$199,175 - $225,000
39.6%	over $450,000	over $400,000	over $425,000	over $225,000
*Caution: Do not use these tax rate schedules to figure 2012 taxes. Use only to figure 2013 estimates. Source: 2013 preliminary tax brackets subject to correction http://www.irs.gov

State marginal tax rate

Your marginal state tax rate. If your state taxes are deductible on your Federal return, we will take this into account when calculating your combined state and Federal marginal tax rate.

Deductible state taxes

Check here if your state taxes are deductible on your Federal return. Generally speaking if you itemize your deductions on Schedule A of your Federal return you should check this box.