1) Determine the cost of replacing the article. This is called the Replacement Cost.

2) Determine the actual age of the article in months (in years for ten-year items).

3) Determine the condition of the article (excellent, average or poor).

4) Select from specific Clothing Table the average life of the article.

5) Refer to the column in Life Expectancy Table at the top of which is shown the average life selected in Step 4. Read down this column to the box showing the Actual Age and across to the Adjustment Value.

6) Select the box under Adjustment Values which is appropriate according to the condition of the article.

7) Multiply the percentage figure given under Adjustment Values by the Replacement Cost figure determined in Step 1. This will be the Adjustment Value.

Example: High-fashion cocktail dress. Replacement Cost - $200 Life Expectancy - 3 years. (Women's Clothing Table).

Actual Age - 30 months. Condition - Excellent. Adjustment Value - 30 per cent or $60.

Clothing Betterment Tables - Step by Step Use

Life Expectancy Table

Expected Life

Adjustment Values

1 Year

2 Years

3 Years

4 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Actual Age of Article in Months 

Actual Age of
Article in years

Percentage of
Replacement Cost

Excellent

Average

Poor

0-4

0-4

0-4

0-4

0-4

Less than 1

100

100

100

4-7

4-7

4-10

4-13

4-16

2-4

75

75

60

7-9

7-13

10-19

13-25

16-31

4-6

70

60

45

9-11

13-19

19-28

25-37

31-46

6-8

50

40

30

11-13

19-25

28-37

37-49

46-61

8-11

30

20

15

13 & older

25 & older

37 & older

49 & older

61 & older

11 & older

20

15

10