Methodology

RetireDividend is built around a simple idea: retirement calculations are more useful when the assumptions behind them are visible.

Projections are illustrations

Future-value and retirement projections are not predictions. Outputs can depend on starting assets, contributions, withdrawals, retirement date, inflation, assumed returns, taxes, healthcare costs, Social Security, and other income.

Investment income and total return

Cash distributions are money paid out by an investment. Total return includes both distributions and changes in investment value. A high distribution rate can coexist with weak total return.

ETF and fund comparisons

Where relevant, comparisons may consider objective, strategy, fees, distribution policy, holdings, historical total return, volatility, drawdowns, taxes, and strategy-specific risks. RetireDividend does not rank an investment solely by yield.

Covered calls and option-income strategies

Option premium is not free return. Covered-call strategies can reduce upside participation, create tax consequences, and behave differently across market environments.

Retirement withdrawals

No withdrawal rate is guaranteed to succeed. Results can change because of markets, inflation, taxes, spending, longevity, and sequence-of-returns risk.

Taxes, Social Security, and Medicare

Rules change and individual circumstances differ. Date-sensitive educational content should use current official sources and identify important assumptions.

Sample portfolios

Demonstration portfolios and product-preview values should be labeled as illustrative. Sample results are not promises of future performance.