Anyone tried using Fidelity's Income Strategy Evaluator Tool? Getting an error

[Dimsumkid]

I spoke too soon, this tool only worked 1-2 times before it crashed and burned. I was told it would be fixed by 3/31. then 4/4 and today. Now it appears this tool has created a bigger problem, all I get is a top and bottom small banner but the middle is completely blank. I visited the Fidelity office last night and it gets all the way into screen 4 when I get an error. I can't get past the 1st screen from home.

If you have the time, would you mind trying to get into this tool to see if it works for you now or not? Thanks!

[Beryl]

I had troubles with it also. It didn't crash but it would give me the same end of life balance whether or not I included my IRA. I worked with a rep and decided to return to other tools which yielded the right balances. I may try it again.

[rescueme]

I just tried it and it ran all the way through all the screens and gave me a result with no problem.

It might be a "sequence of events" that may be causing a problem due the different FIDO servers and how the data is migrated. For example, the 401(k) account server is not part of the server group that handles commercial accounts and is input to several FIDO tools.

Here's the sequence of events I do every day with FIDO (and associated) tools. You may want to execute in the same manner (if you have not done the same sequence) to see what you get.

1. Refresh data (both FIDO & non-FIDO external accounts) using Full View.
2. Run RIP (Retirement Income Planner) and load/update the results to your current status file.
3. Then try the Income Strategy Eval tool.

BTW, I don't use this tool specifically, since I use M*'s Asset Allocator to see the projected "spend rate" from our joint portfolio, along with known other income from our SPIA/SS/pension income rather than use this tool for "guesstimation"...

[Dimsumkid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rescueme I just tried it and it ran all the way through all the screens and gave me a result with no problem. It might be a "sequence of events" that may be causing a problem due the different FIDO servers and how the data is migrated. For example, the 401(k) account server is not part of the server group that handles commercial accounts and is input to several FIDO tools. Here's the sequence of events I do every day with FIDO (and associated) tools. You may want to execute in the same manner (if you have not done the same sequence) to see what you get. 1. Refresh data (both FIDO & non-FIDO external accounts) using Full View. 2. Run RIP (Retirement Income Planner) and load/update the results to your current status file. 3. Then try the Income Strategy Eval tool. BTW, I don't use this tool specifically, since I use M*'s Asset Allocator to see the projected "spend rate" from our joint portfolio, along with known other income from our SPIA/SS/pension income rather than use this tool for "guesstimation"...

I ran through the steps, but still no change. It only affects certain customers, I listed previously. The only one that pertains to me is using full view and having trust accounts. Whatever fix they implemented at the end of March made it worse for me.

[rescueme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimsumkid The only one that pertains to me is using full view and having trust accounts.

Well, when you're a "trust baby" you have to put up with these things...

[Alan]

Just checked it and it's working fine for me.

[Dimsumkid]

I got a call back from Fidelity on the problems. They applied 24 fixes this week alone to correct problems and asked me to personally verify that it's been corrected. I logged in and still NOTHING! While waiting to isolate the issue, I decided to click the "compatibility view" button (I'm using IE9 and Win 7) and this fixed the problem! Turns out they have to tell the developers about this, since this button corrects pages designed for older versions of browsers. If I don't hit this button, my screen will not load, but only for this Income Strategy tool. Maybe I shouldn't have upgraded to IE9 or Fidelity needs to code for all versions if IE.

[rescueme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimsumkid Turns out they have to tell the developers about this...

All kinds of quirks, regardless of the software/developer vendor and PC system software.

For instance, VG's F.E. will not run on my desktop (running Windows Vista Home Preimum) or my Netbook (runing Windows XP), both with IE8.

However, it will run on my laptop (running Windows Vista Home Preimum) and IE8, with the same settings as my desktop.

V.G. has no answer. My answer? Just run F.E. on the laptop - that's good enough ...