Methodology

How we calculate every number on the site, where the underlying data comes from, and how often we refresh it. Last reviewed June 2026. Next review June 2027.

Primary data sources

• IRS — contribution limits, RMD tables (Uniform Lifetime, Single Life), federal tax brackets, IRMAA tiers.
• Social Security Administration — bend points, taxable maximum, COLA, full retirement age tables.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics — CPI-U series 1913 → current month for all inflation calculations.
• LBMA — daily gold and silver fix prices for spot tracking and historical performance.
• Vanguard / Fidelity benchmark research — savings-multiple targets and asset-allocation defaults.

Refresh cadence

• Daily — gold & silver spot prices via cron.
• Monthly — CPI-U release (mid-month), tool freshness review.
• Annually — IRS contribution limits, SSA bend points, IRMAA brackets when agencies publish.

Calculation transparency

Every calculator shows its formula in plain English in the results section or FAQ. Open-source assumptions: gold long-run nominal return 8.0%, stock return 7.0%, bond return 3.0%, real estate 4.0%, cash 0.0%. Sequence-of-returns and stress-test scenarios use the actual 1973–1975, 2000–2002, and 2007–2009 drawdown sequences.

Editorial review

Every page lists "Last reviewed June 2026" in the header. The editorial team re-checks display copy, source citations, and pinned regulatory figures monthly. Pinned dollar figures (IRS limits, SSA bend points, IRMAA) are bumped manually within 30 days of agency publication.

Updated June 2026. Source: IRS, SSA, BLS, LBMA, Vanguard primary publications. Last verified June 2026. Next review: June 2027.