Although MGP: G3 is the best version of MoneyGuide to date, a few minor tweaks are required. The Social Security feature does not offer the ability to contrast taking benefits at the first eligibility date with the recommended strategy. MGP's explanation for this is that taking benefits at the earliest date is almost always a sub-optimal strategy. They are correct, but many Americans take benefits the day they are eligible, so advisors need to be able to contrast this strategy with the preferred one to educate clients. I'd also like them to prominently highlight the estimated potential dollar difference among the various strategies.

As mentioned earlier, the Portfolio Probability is hidden. I think it deserves more prominence. I also mentioned that the application should allow for installment sales of homes.

There's an issue with the details menu on the results screen: You can't make changes to a plan within it. The fear is that if you let users make changes on what is supposed to be a display screen, some will alter plans in unintended ways.
I understand MGP's dilemma here. The workflow is supposed to be that you make changes in the "what-if" section or the PlayZone. On the other hand, by prohibiting you from, for example, making changes to the portfolio from within the Portfolio Probability matrix screen, users are forced into additional mouse clicks to accomplish a task. My suggestion would be to allow changes under the details section after a warning has been displayed.

MGP: G3 sets a new standard of excellence within the financial planning software community. It is smarter, easier to use. It provides numerous aids that allow advisors to create better plans for their clients. In addition, by making it easier, faster and cheaper to produce basic plans for the mass affluent, MGP: G3 makes financial planning affordable to a much wider audience. Is a comprehensive application like MGP: G3 or a targeted application like Finance Logix's RIO is more appropriate for mass affluent planning? That's debatable, but the fact that an industry leader such as MGP is addressing the demographic signals to the industry that there is an untapped market out there for planners equipped with the proper technology tools.

MGP: G3 is also a relative bargain. It lists for $1,295, a price that has not changed in five years despite the fact that this application is far superior to the one sold back then. Volume discounts are available.

There are a number of other well-regarded financial planning applications on the market, but they will have to raise their game if they want to keep pace with MGP.

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