In Asset-Map’s methodology, a pension is a guaranteed income instrument. When an SBP is attached, you frame it visually and structurally as follows:
Primary Pension Income Box (Northern Section):
Location / Name: Enter the employer/pension provider name along with the SBP details in the name field (e.g., US Military Pension (50% SBP) or State Teachers Pension (100% Survivor Option)).
Owner: Assign it to the primary pensioner.
Value: Input the current gross monthly or annual payment amount.
Survivor Designation & Beneficiary Alignment:
Open the instrument details and assign the spouse/partner as the Primary Beneficiary (or Survivor).
Future/Contingent Income Box: If you want to visually show the exact reduced income stream the surviving spouse receives upon the primary pensioner’s passing, create a second, grayed-out (future value) income box in the spouse's section labeled SBP Pension Benefit (Surviving Spouse). Set the start age to the expected contingent trigger.
Optional: Incorporate SBP Premiums (If Deducted from Pay):
Usually the pension amount shown is gross. You can include a negative cash flow instrument labeled SBP Premium under cash flows to reflect the impact of the net incoming household funds, or simply include the premium as you might have done with other premiums and living costs in a Living Expenses negative cash flow financial.
Advisor Script & Language Guidance
Below is a demonstration conversation scenario provided for educational purposes only. No financial planning recommendations are implied.
Advisor Framework: Navigational & Flight Plan Analogy
"When we look at your overall balance sheet, your pension is like the primary engine powering your flight in retirement. Selecting a Survivor Benefit Plan is essentially adding a co-pilot's parachute. It ensures that if the primary engine ever stops unexpectedly, a secure canopy opens up so your spouse doesn't face a sudden financial freefall.
On our map, we capture the pension right here under your primary income sources. But notice we’ve explicitly noted the Survivor Option. We want to verify two critical questions: First, is the survivorship percentage still aligned with your family’s spending needs? Second, does the survivor benefit need to be supplemented with outside life insurance, or does this co-pilot parachute provide all the landing protection your spouse will ever need?"