Essential Annual Maintenance

The Annual Checkup Your Retirement Portfolio Needs Every Year

Portfolio problems rarely announce themselves. NAV erosion starts small. Distribution cuts are telegraphed months in advance for those tracking coverage ratios. This workbook gives you the 8 worksheets to catch both before they become crises.

What Retirement Portfolios Need That Annual Reviews Provide

NAV Erosion That Starts Small and Compounds Silently

A 5% NAV decline in year 1 becomes a 23% decline over 5 years if the cause isn't addressed. The NAV Stability Scorecard catches the trend early.

Distribution Cuts Are Telegraphed by Coverage Ratios Months in Advance

Coverage ratios below 1.0x consistently precede distribution cuts by 3-6 months. The Coverage Ratio Worksheet gives you the early warning signal.

No System for Tracking Whether Income Is Actually Growing

Most retirees know their current income level but can't say whether it's higher or lower than last year. Chapter 8 fixes this with a year-over-year income tracker.

What's Inside

Chapters marked Most Relevant are specifically applicable to your situation.

1
Why Annual Audits Prevent Portfolio DisastersMost Relevant

The specific cases where quarterly auditors caught NAV erosion 6 months before it became critical.

2
The Holding-by-Holding FrameworkMost Relevant

A systematic review process for every position: yield, NAV change, coverage ratio, total return.

3
Coverage Ratio Worksheet

How to calculate and track coverage ratios for each holding, with thresholds.

4
NAV Stability Scorecard

A scoring system for each holding based on 12-month NAV trend and volatility.

5
Dividend Growth Tracker

How to track whether income is growing, flat, or declining on a position-by-position basis.

6
Payout Ratio Analysis

For REITs, BDCs, and MLPs — how to evaluate whether distributions are sustainable.

7
Rebalancing Decision TreeMost Relevant

A visual framework for deciding when to hold, trim, or exit a position.

8
Year-over-Year Income Comparison

How to track whether total portfolio income is growing, and by how much.

8-worksheet annual audit

Review coverage ratios, NAV stability, distribution changes, and rebalancing decisions with a repeatable holding-by-holding process.

Is This Guide Right for You?

This guide is for you if...

  • You rely on dividend income for living expenses and can't afford a surprise distribution cut
  • You hold any Tier 3-5 ETFs where NAV erosion is a real risk
  • You want a systematic, repeatable process — not a one-time review
  • You've never formally tracked whether your total portfolio income grew year-over-year
  • You want early warning signals for problems before they require a portfolio rebuild

This guide is NOT for you if...

  • You only hold Tier 1-2 ETFs with no NAV erosion risk
  • You already have a rigorous holding-by-holding review process
  • You're in early accumulation and won't draw on income for 15+ years
  • You want a single-time audit rather than an annual system

Give Your Retirement Portfolio Its Annual Checkup

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