Which of the fields below has no bearing on Monte Carlo results?

• A. Rate of Return
• B. Tax rate
• C. Forecast horizon
• D. Starting balance

Answer: (A)

In Monte Carlo modeling, the values you actively set as inputs shape the scenario you’re simulating, while the results include the outcomes the model generates under those inputs. The rate of return is typically the outcome the simulation produces across many random paths, not a fixed input you use to drive the simulation. Starting balance sets where you begin, the forecast horizon defines how many periods you simulate, and the tax rate influences after‑tax cash flows and spending/withdrawal patterns. These inputs establish the framework and constraints of the simulation, so they meaningfully affect the distribution of outcomes. The rate of return, being the result produced along each path, doesn’t drive the simulation itself, which is why it’s considered not to bear on the setup of Monte Carlo results.