There are some classes of software that simply don’t change much from year to year, and retirement planning software is one of them. In any given year, you may see tax tables updated or compatibility with new operating systems and hardware slip in, but these are, by definition, very stable applications whose core strength is that they offer reliability and a strong set of features. Nor do they need to compete with consumer applications for the beauty of their interface or use of colors. Most of the work of a good retirement planner is done in the background, with little or no reason to bother with aesthetics anywhere other than in the final client presentation.

That said, some change does, of course, occur.

Life scenarios are growing more complex in an ever-more-complicated world. The Internet has gone mainstream and is altering everything about how we do business. And Congress is ever-willing to pass new laws that impact how a client’s retirement is planned, implemented and reviewed.

This year, nine retirement planning tools are included in our roundup of the best-of-breed applications. All fared well, particularly in addressing the changing tax implications and the impending change in estate tax calculations after 2009.

Here’s the roundup for 2008:

BRENTMARK RETIREMENT PLAN ANALYZER

Brentmark’s Retirement Plan Analyzer is a tool to assess the strategies that will enable clients to take distributions from traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s and other qualified retirement plans over the span of retirement living. It calculates up to four alternatives simultaneously for varying types of distributions, including minimum distributions, pre-59-1/2 distributions, Roth IRA conversions (including the two-year spread-out for such conversions in year 2010), spousal rollovers, income taxes, estate taxes, IRD calculations, life insurance and done exclusion gifting.

Planning for such distributions — with multiple scenarios that include tax calculations, separate growth rates for each type of fund, multiple beneficiaries and annual re-calculations — may not be as appealing as portfolio management and stock selection. It is, however, just as critical to an effective retirement strategy. Retirement Plan Analyzer is a cost-effective tool for this distribution management that also handles state-specific estate and inheritance taxes.

The interface is deceptively simple — with a minimal set of navigation and input screens that hide fairly powerful features for comparisons and reporting, as well as a robust help system. Reports are fully customizable, and include 3-D stacked bar charts, the ability to compare up to four scenarios at a time, flow charts and tables. Reports can be saved in PDF, RTF or HTML formats, as well as text files and spreadsheets.

Brentmark offers a stable of retirement planning tools, of which the Retirement Plan Analyzer is the most popular with accountants for its strong tax features, economical price and well-presented client plans.

BRENTMARK KUGLER ESTATE ANALYZER

The Kugler Estate Analyzer enables financial planners to show their clients the effect of more advanced planning techniques (such as GRATs, rolling GRATs, charitable trusts, QPRTs, family limited partnerships and GST Trusts) can result in a more advantageous financial position. It takes a building-block approach to using 18 interrelated planning techniques, from trusts and gifts to management of estate costs.

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