# 7 Steps to Fact-Check AI Retirement Advice

> Check AI retirement numbers with these 7 steps to avoid costly mistakes.
- Title: 7 Steps to Fact-Check AI Retirement Advice · Kiplinger
- Summary: Check AI retirement numbers with these 7 steps to avoid costly mistakes. Retirees should verify AI answers against official sources before acting on…
- Keywords: retirement, fact-checking, 401k, ira, rmds, social security, medicare, Steps, Fact-Check, Advice, Kiplinger
- Source: Kiplinger — https://kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/how-to-fact-check-ai-retirement-advice
- Published: 2026-10-11T14:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai, retirement, fact-checking, 401k, ira, rmds, social security, medicare
## AI Retirement Numbers Are Risky
AI chatbots give retirement answers without checking current data, leading to outdated figures.
## 2026 401(k) and IRA Limits Changed
For 2026, 401(k) contributions rose to $24,500 and IRA limits to $7,500, up from $23,500 and $7,000 in 2025.
## RMD Age Increases to 75 in 2033
Retirees must start taking required minimum distributions at age 75 in 2033, up from 70.5 in 2020.
## Step 1: Check the Year on Numbers
Any retirement figure needs a specific tax year attached to be accurate, as AI answers often lack dates.
## Step 2: Identify the Setting Agency
Contribution limits come from the IRS, RMDs from Social Security, Medicare premiums from Medicare.gov.
## Step 3: Verify at Official Sources
Go directly to agency websites to confirm figures, as chatbots may provide outdated information.
## Step 4: Feed Your Specific Circumstances
Provide details like age, account types, and marital status to get personalized retirement advice.
## Step 5: Ask the Question Twice
Rephrase the question and check for consistency to spot unreliable AI responses.
## Step 6: Ask What It Left Out
AI advice often misses risks like Medicare premiums and tax impacts, so ask what assumptions it depends on.
## Step 7: Consult an Adviser for Irreversible Decisions
For actions like claiming Social Security early, get expert advice to avoid permanent penalties.
## AI Answers Need Verification
The moment an answer sounds authoritative is when you should question its accuracy and check with official sources.
## Key takeaway

Retirees should verify AI answers against official sources before acting on retirement advice to prevent penalties.