Recommended approach for modelling a case in Pathfinder
This page has a recommended approach for modelling a case in Pathfinder. This approach helps you take best advantage of Pathfinder's optimisation processes, so it can carry the weight of the number crunching for you. To learn more about how Pathfinder works, see How Optimisation works.
Step 1: Enter the data (and cover the minimum data requirements)
Pathfinder's comprehensive modelling takes into account tax, legislation and government benefits, so it needs the right data so it can accurately estimate these values or you. For more details, see Minimum data required for Pathfinder.
Step 2: Run a 'surplus cash' scenario (Optional, but recommended)
Running a 'surplus cash' scenario is useful for many reasons:
- It is an easy and quick way to see the cash flows and double check your input data and identify any obvious cash shortfalls
- It gives you a baseline against which you can compare other strategies
- You can send the strategy paper to your clients to review as an intermediate step in your planning process
It can also help you make some calculations:
- It gives you an idea of how much excess cash is available to spend on new expenses or investments
- You can estimate annual living expenses if you only know how much the clients save each year
- You can estimate maximum living expenses, if you have a shortfall and would like to reducing spending to avoid the shortfall
For detailed instructions, see How to run a 'surplus cash' scenario.
Step 3: Use the
(robot) button to run a scenario to find the upper limits of your caseTo calculate a feasible, high quality strategy as quickly as possible, the best approach is to let Pathfinder calculate the upper limits of the case by initially using the
(robot), button as much as possible, and then making adjustments with subsequent solves. This approach is beneficial because Pathfinder's robot button:- Makes the best use of its powerful optimiser. For more details, see How Optimisation works.
- Will create a strategy that meets all the expenses and goals you entered (unless there are insufficient funds to do so).
- Often creates the strategy you had in mind, even if you didn't specifically enter it.
- May remind you of strategies you didn't initially consider. e.g. making spouse super contributions.
- Will present you with feasible values, so if you want to make adjustments, you already have ballpark figures, so you don't need to calculate them from scratch.
- Gives the optimiser more freedom to work out the strategy, so you are less likely to produce a result with constraint violations (i.e. conflicting instructions that cannot all be met) or cash shortfalls. It won't take actions that will result in an avoidable shortfall.
- Will allow Pathfinder to calculate where to put surplus funds to maximise the net wealth at the end of the analysis.
- Will save you time because it can work out a strategy from scratch more quickly than if you worked out the strategy outside Pathfinder and then tried to input precise figures.
- Keeps within all government rules and legislation.
Once you have created a strategy with the upper limits, you can then add more constraints, that is, set specific goals, so the strategy is suitable for your clients' preferences and risk profile.
Steps to calculate the upper limits of a case
Step | Details |
---|---|
If you ran a 'surplus cash' scenario, then copy the scenario and work in the copy. | For more, see How to make another scenario for comparison |
Go through the Cash flows & Goals step (top menu) , and choose the (robot) button as much as possible. | At the Cash flows & Goals step (top menu) , go through each sub-step and:
For more details, see Entering Data in Pathfinder. |
Solve the 'upper limit' scenario and review the results | To solve, see How to solve a scenario to get results To review this scenario's results, it's easiest to go through the Strategy summary sub-step (under the Results step on the top menu) and make a note of:
For more information about reviewing results, see How to read the websolve results |
Step 4: Adjust your scenario to make it suitable as a recommendation (if required)
Step | Details |
---|---|
Copy your 'upper limit' scenario, and make adjustments in the copy. This lets you see the impact of your adjustments at the 'Compare' step. | For more, see How to make another scenario for comparison. |
Go through the Cash flows & Goals step (top menu) , and make adjustments to 'Robot' options. | Once again, at the Cash flows & Goals step (top menu) , go through each sub-step and make adjustments based on what you noted when reviewing the results of the 'upper limit' scenario. Note that:
|
Solve and review your adjusted scenario | To solve, see How to solve a scenario to get results. To review your results, see How to read the websolve results. |
(optional) Step 5: Make alternative scenarios for comparison (e.g. different goals or assumptions)
Once you're happy with your first recommended scenario, you can copy it and make more adjustments to explore different goals and strategies.
For more, including examples of alternative scenarios, see How to make another scenario for comparison.
Step 6: Present results to your client
Once you have reviewed your results, you may wish to download some results for your client meetings so they can review the strategies, ask questions and make an informed decision:
- Download a 'Strategy comparison' document that includes the 'Surplus cash' scenario, plus any scenarios your clients are interested in (you don't need to include the 'upper limit' scenario, unless you thought it was a feasible strategy). This document can show the benefits of your advice, and help clients clearly see the payoffs of different strategies.
- Download a 'Strategy overview' and/or 'Strategy paper' for any recommended scenarios once your clients have decided which strategies are most interesting. Your client can then look at them in more detail.
For more, see How to download results into a document (Strategy Paper, SOA (Statement of Advice) Foundation document, Strategy Comparison).