Welcome to the Special Needs Calculator

As the parent or guardian of a special needs child, it's natural to worry about the future. You want to know that your child will be cared for when you are no longer around. And you want to ensure that your child will have the financial resources necessary to preserve a comfortable quality of life.

The best way to address these concerns — and allay some of your worries — is to develop a thorough and realistic financial strategy. The first step is obtaining a reasonable estimate of your child's lifelong financial needs.

To help you take this important step, Merrill Lynch invites you to use our unique, interactive Special Needs Calculator. The only calculator designed exclusively for families of children with disabilities, the Special Needs Calculator helps take the guesswork out of planning for your child's future by providing you with a year-by-year cash-flow analysis and an estimate of your lump-sum savings goal. Once you know how much you'll need to save to provide for your child's ongoing needs, you can start working toward your goal by asking a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor about our Financial Foundation plan and the Special Needs Supplement.

How Does the Calculator Work?

The Special Needs Calculator is easy to use. You'll simply enter data in each field about your child's projected sources of income and anticipated expenses. For each expense category — housing, transportation, personal expenses and asset-replacement costs — you can either provide a summary of total expenses or use the "Details" screens to make itemized lists. Each screen contains easy-to-follow instructions and definitions located under the "Help With This Screen" tab on the toolbar. At the bottom of each screen, you'll find valuable "Tips" about special needs issues you will need to consider as you develop your financial strategy. Once you've completed a screen, simply click "Next" to proceed. When you've entered all of the requested data, the calculator will automatically tabulate an income-and-expense summary and provide an estimate of your lump-sum savings goal.

A word of advice before you begin: You will need to gather all income and expense figures before using the calculator. Since you probably don't know what your child will earn, receive in government benefits or face in expenses when he or she reaches the age of majority, you will need to speak to someone who can help you determine realistic numbers. A social service representative already working with you and your child may be the best source of help. If you need to locate an appropriate social service organization, simply visit www.nichcy.org for a comprehensive, state-by-state directory. Also keep in mind that if income and expense numbers change in the future, you can — and should — run another calculation. This will allow you to update your strategy as necessary, just as you would for any other financial goal.

To begin calculating your savings goal now, click the Next button below or select "Start Calculating" from the toolbox on the top of This Screen.