Microsoft Money does not calculate Cost Basis for retirement accounts in the Lifetime Planner.

Money calculates the Cost Basis for tax liability purposes only. Because all retirement accounts are taxed differently, Money cannot determine if the Cost Basis is relevant.

As a result, Money does not calculate Cost Basis for retirement accounts in the Lifetime Planner.

For example, the following information regarding 401(k) plans is located in the Quick Reference section of the CNBC on MSN Money Web site:

The big difference between pre-tax and after-tax contributions is when the tax falls due. Uncle Sam only gets to take one bite of the apple. You have to pay taxes sooner or later, but not both sooner and later.

The Portfolio is where you track all your investment accounts and analyze their performance. Hence, Cost Basis is relevant in the Portfolio because it helps you to determine the performance of your investments.

However, the Lifetime Planner determines the performance of your investments depending on the interest rate you tell the planner you expect to receive.

Microsoft Money's Lifetime Planner is designed to help you understand and achieve your financial goals. The information and calculations used are based on sound financial principles. Using the Lifetime Planner should help you gain clarity about your financial objectives, and give you a picture of how your financial situation may change over time.

There's a difference, though, between a "do it yourself" tool like this one and the advice given by a professional financial planner. A professional planner can help you shape your objectives, check your assumptions, and think in new ways about what your financial strategy should be.

Think of the Lifetime Planner as a great way to start thinking about financial planning and to see how your current assumptions match your financial goals. You may decide you want more help than a "do it yourself" tool provides. If so, turn to a professional. You can find a directory of financial planning professionals on CNBC on MSN Money.