An evergreen retainer must be topped up when the balance falls below a floor. The trigger is simple — if the remaining retainer drops under the threshold, request a refill back to the original amount.
The example
$1,200 left, $2,500 floor, $10k target.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | Below floor? | Yes |
| 3 | Top-up | → $8,800 |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Compute the current balance = retainer deposited − fees applied.
- IF the balance is below the floor, the top-up restores it to the target.
- If the balance is at or above the floor, the top-up is zero — no request.
- Wrap in MAX(…, 0) so a negative never appears if the balance overshoots.
Floor and target are two different numbers. The floor is when you ask (e.g. below $2,500); the target is how much you ask for (back to $10,000). Setting the floor above zero gives you runway to collect the top-up before the trust actually empties — so work never stops for lack of funds. Automate the flag and the replenishment amount falls out of one IF.
Try it: interactive demo
Balance, floor, target.
Variations
Current balance
Deposited − applied:
Guard against negative
Never below zero:
Months of runway
At average burn:
Pitfalls & errors
Floor ≠ target. The floor triggers the ask; the target is the refill amount.
Floor above zero. Leave runway to collect before the trust empties.
Trust rules apply. Unearned retainers sit in trust — this is illustrative, not advice.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I trigger a retainer replenishment in Excel?
Why set the floor above zero?
How do I avoid a negative top-up?
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