Methodology
Every result starts with assumptions you can see.
The calculators are designed to make the model reviewable: inputs first, method second, result third, and limits always nearby.
How are assumptions handled?
Adjustable assumptions are labeled with units and bounds, and the active model is repeated in a readable summary. Defaults are starting points for an illustration, not forecasts or recommendations.
Why do the tools use different methods?
The method follows the question. Some tools use deterministic cash-flow math. The retirement tool also tests rolling historical sequences. Each calculator explains its timing conventions, formulas, exclusions, and what its method cannot establish.
Where do sources and dates appear?
Source links live with the calculator that relies on them. Time-sensitive tax and Medicare inputs state their year, source, and verification date. Historical data identifies its provenance and transformation in the retirement methodology.
How are precision and accessibility handled?
Calculations retain full precision until display formatting. Charts have text or table equivalents, status does not rely on color alone, and controls are designed for keyboard and small-screen use.