Veteran Forward HQ Resources
The Financial Gap Analysis Worksheet
Identify where you stand, map where you're going, and build your bridge across the gap.
Section 1 — Your Retirement Target
Every mission starts with a clear objective. Your retirement is no different. Without a target, there's nothing to aim for, and no way to know if you're on track.
Use this section to define what 'success' looks like for you. Be honest about what you want your life to look like when the uniform is a distant memory.
Section 2 — Your Current Financial Snapshot
This is reconnaissance — an honest inventory of where things stand right now. There is no judgment here, only data.
Knowing your starting point is the only way to plot a course to your destination. Gather your latest statements and be as accurate as possible.
Section 3 — Projected Retirement Income
Now we project your income floor. Use the 4% rule for your savings: take your total savings from Section 2 and multiply by 0.04, then divide by 12.
This gives you a conservative estimate of what your savings can provide monthly without running out.
| Income Source | Monthly Amount ($) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | ||
| VA/DoD Benefits | ||
| 4% of Retirement Savings | ||
| Pension (if any) | ||
| Part-Time Work / Hobby Income | ||
| Rental / Business Income | ||
| Total Projected Monthly Income | ||
| Other |
Section 4 — The Gap Analysis
A gap isn't failure — it's intelligence. Now you know exactly what you're working toward. By confronting the numbers, you take away their power to surprise you.
Subtract your projected income from your desired income. If the number is negative, that's your gap. If it's positive, you're looking at a surplus.
Section 5 — Your Bridge: The Action Plan
Every gap has a bridge. This section is where you design yours. Pick strategies that fit your life, not someone else's.
Consider strategies like: Increasing TSP/401(k) contributions, opening a Roth IRA, starting a side hustle, paying off high-interest debt, downsizing housing, delaying Social Security, or reducing discretionary spending.
| Strategy | Monthly Impact ($) | Priority (1-5) | Target Start Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
- •Start with strategies that have the highest impact-to-effort ratio.
- •Even a $200/month gap closed is $2,400/year — over 20 years that's $48,000.
- •Revisit this worksheet every 6 months. Your situation changes — your plan should too.
Section 6 — Commander's Intent: Your One-Sentence Mission
Write one sentence that captures what you're working toward. Keep it where you'll see it. This is your 'Why' that will keep you disciplined when things get tough.