Question 1

What is fidser.?

Accepted Answer

fidser. is an advanced retirement forecasting engine designed for US households. It handles the complex math - from Social Security timing and tax-efficient withdrawals to inflation modeling and healthcare cost projections - so you can focus on the decisions that matter. The engine produces illustrative projections to help you explore possibilities before speaking with a certified financial planner.

Question 2

Who is fidser. for?

Accepted Answer

fidser. is built for individuals and couples in the US who want sophisticated scenario modeling without the complexity. Whether you're 10 years from retirement or already there, it helps you explore "what-if" questions and develop a clearer picture of your situation before making decisions with a qualified professional.

Question 3

How long does it take to get started?

Accepted Answer

Most people complete the initial setup in about 5 minutes. You'll enter estimates about your income, savings, debts, and expected expenses. The engine runs comprehensive calculations instantly, and you can refine your inputs anytime.

Question 4

Do I need to connect my bank accounts?

Accepted Answer

No. fidser. never connects to your bank, brokerage, or any financial accounts. You enter your own estimates, which keeps your data secure and gives you full control over what information you share.

Question 5

What's a "Base Case" scenario?

Accepted Answer

Your Base Case is your primary projection using your current assumptions - retirement age, spending levels, Social Security timing, and more. The engine calculates a comprehensive 50-year forecast that serves as the foundation for exploring alternative scenarios. All projections are illustrative and based on the assumptions you provide.

Question 6

What are "what-if" scenarios?

Accepted Answer

What-if scenarios let you model different life paths. For example: "What if I retire at 60 instead of 65?" or "What if I receive a $50,000 inheritance?" Duplicate your Base Case, adjust one or two variables, and the engine instantly recalculates everything - letting you compare outcomes side-by-side. This is a Pro feature.

Question 7

What is Monte Carlo simulation?

Accepted Answer

Monte Carlo simulation runs thousands of randomized market return sequences through your scenario, producing probability distributions rather than single-point estimates. Instead of assuming a fixed 7% return, you see the range of potential outcomes across bull and bear markets. These are statistical models for exploration, not predictions of actual results. This is a Pro feature.

Question 8

How does fidser. model Social Security?

Accepted Answer

The engine incorporates Social Security timing optimization, spousal benefit calculations, and early/delayed claiming adjustments. You enter your expected benefit or let the system estimate based on income history. These are modeling estimates - for official benefit amounts, consult ssa.gov or a financial professional.

Question 9

How does fidser. handle taxes?

Accepted Answer

The engine models federal income tax across all your income sources, accounting for filing status, tax brackets, and the interplay between traditional and Roth withdrawals. It illustrates how different withdrawal strategies may affect your tax burden over time. These are simplified models - consult a tax professional for actual tax planning.

Question 10

What about healthcare cost modeling?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare costs are a critical variable, especially for early retirees without Medicare. The engine includes configurable healthcare cost projections that you can adjust based on your expected coverage and circumstances. Actual costs vary significantly by location, health status, and plan choices.

Question 11

Is fidser. really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Free plan includes a complete base-case forecast with Social Security calculations, tax estimates, and a 50-year projection. There's no trial period - Free is free forever.

Question 12

What does Pro add?

Accepted Answer

Pro ($9.95/month) adds up to 5 what-if scenarios, Monte Carlo simulations with success probability bands, and side-by-side scenario comparison. It's designed for people who want to stress-test their plan.

Question 13

Can I cancel Pro anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cancel from your account settings at any time. You'll keep Pro access until the end of your current billing period, then your account reverts to Free. All your data stays intact.

Question 14

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

If you're not satisfied with Pro within the first 7 days, contact us and we'll refund your payment - no questions asked.

Question 15

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards. Payments are processed securely through Stripe. We never see or store your full card number.

Question 16

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256). We use industry-standard security practices and our infrastructure is hosted on secure, SOC 2 compliant platforms.

Question 17

What personal information do you collect?

Accepted Answer

We only require an email address to create an account. The financial information you enter (income, savings, expenses) is used solely for your forecasts and is never shared or sold.

Question 18

Do you sell my data?

Accepted Answer

No. We will never sell, rent, or share your personal or financial information with third parties for marketing purposes. Your data is yours.

Question 19

Can I delete my account and data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can delete your account at any time from your account settings. This permanently removes all your data from our systems within 30 days.

Question 20

Do you need my Social Security number?

Accepted Answer

No. We never ask for your Social Security number, bank login credentials, or other sensitive personal identifiers. You only enter estimates and projections.

Question 21

Is fidser. a financial advisor?

Accepted Answer

No. fidser. is not a registered investment advisor, broker, or financial planner. We are an advanced, affordable calculation tool only. We do not provide personalized financial advice, recommendations, or guidance. For decisions about your retirement, investments, or finances, please consult with a certified financial planner (CFP), registered investment advisor (RIA), or other qualified professional.

Question 22

How accurate are the projections?

Accepted Answer

All projections are illustrative estimates based on the assumptions you enter and simplified models. They are not predictions or guarantees of future results. Actual outcomes will differ - sometimes significantly - due to market performance, tax law changes, inflation, healthcare costs, and countless other factors. Use fidser. as one input in your planning, not as a definitive answer.

Question 23

Should I make financial decisions based on fidser.?

Accepted Answer

No. fidser. is designed to help you explore scenarios and understand concepts, not to make decisions. Before making any significant financial decisions - such as when to retire, how to invest, or when to claim Social Security - we strongly recommend consulting with a certified financial planner or other qualified professional who can review your complete situation.

Question 24

How do I get help with the tool?

Accepted Answer

For questions about how to use fidser., you can reach us through our contact form or by emailing hello@fidser.com. We typically respond within one business day. Please note we can only help with tool-related questions - we cannot provide financial advice.

Question 25

I found a bug or have a feature request. Where do I send it?

Accepted Answer

We'd love to hear from you! Use our contact form or email us directly. We read every message and use feedback to improve fidser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Features & Modeling

Pricing & Billing

Security & Privacy

Important Information

Support

Still have questions?