When analyzing retirement income scenarios, understanding mortality risk is crucial for comprehensive financial planning. Mortality risk represents the potential financial impact when one spouse dies, potentially leaving the surviving partner with reduced income.

Understanding Mortality Risk in Retirement Planning

Several key income sources can contribute to mortality risk:

  • Single-life pensions
  • Annuities with limited survivorship benefits
  • Total family Social Security benefits

Mortality risk isn't just about potential loss—it's about understanding the financial implications of life's uncertainties.

How Retirement Scenarios Account for Mortality Risk

Advanced retirement planning tools incorporate mortality risk by simulating multiple potential outcomes. These scenarios consider:

  1. Probability of death before a specified date
  2. Weighted average of various mortality experiences
  3. Potential income reductions upon a spouse's death

As a result, total income in a stress test or plan test scenario might appear lower than expected. This reflects the probabilistic nature of life expectancy and potential income changes.

Important: Mortality risk scenarios only appear when non-portfolio income sources change upon a spouse's death.

Key Considerations

Not all retirement plans will display mortality risk adjustments. Specific scenarios where mortality risk is most relevant include:

  • Joint plans with varying survivorship income
  • Plans with single-life income sources
  • Retirement strategies with potential income fluctuations

By understanding and planning for mortality risk, individuals can create more robust and resilient retirement strategies that protect against potential financial vulnerabilities.