Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Trust through transparency
Sources & Methodology
See the official guidance and research behind our lessons, calculators, readiness reviews, and planning rules.
Official first
We prioritize government agencies, regulators, and primary research.
Limits stay visible
Sources inform education and estimates; they don't remove household-specific assumptions.
Reviewed over time
Annual planning policies include verification dates so changes can be reviewed deliberately.
11 official sources
- Open official source (opens another site)
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FINRA
Choosing beneficiaries
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FINRA
Estate planning and powers of attorney
Internal Revenue Service
2026 retirement contribution and Roth phaseout adjustments
Used in:Step 11: Build a legacy that starts with stabilityStep 7: Fund tax-advantaged accounts toward your retirement goalStep 8: Maximize retirement contributions within 2026 limitsTax-Advantaged AccountsOpen official source (opens another site)- Open official source (opens another site)
Internal Revenue Service
Publication 526: Charitable contributions
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Internal Revenue Service
Publication 551: Basis of assets
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Internal Revenue Service
Publication 559: Survivors, executors, and administrators
Internal Revenue Service
Publication 590-B: Distributions from IRAs
Used in:Step 11: Build a legacy that starts with stabilityStep 5: Build a full emergency fundStep 7: Fund tax-advantaged accounts toward your retirement goalOpen official source (opens another site)- Open official source (opens another site)
Internal Revenue Service
Qualified tuition programs
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Internal Revenue Service
Retirement account beneficiary guidance
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Investor.gov
Introduction to 529 plans