Question 1

Is this really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Financial Plan Genie is 100% free to use. There are no hidden fees, no premium tiers, and no credit card required. We believe everyone deserves access to professional-grade retirement planning tools regardless of their financial situation.

Question 2

Is my data safe?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We store your information securely using Supabase's cloud infrastructure. We never sell your data to third parties, and you can export or delete your account and all associated data at any time.

Question 3

How accurate is Monte Carlo simulation?

Accepted Answer

Monte Carlo simulation is one of the most widely used methods in professional financial planning. Our tool runs 1,000 independent trials using historical market returns and volatility data to model a broad range of possible outcomes. While no model can predict the future with certainty, Monte Carlo analysis gives you a statistically grounded probability of reaching your goals rather than a single-point estimate.

Question 4

What is Monte Carlo simulation?

Accepted Answer

Monte Carlo simulation is a mathematical technique that models uncertainty by running thousands of randomized scenarios. Each trial simulates a possible path your portfolio could take over time, incorporating variables like market returns, inflation, and withdrawal rates. The result is a probability distribution that tells you how likely you are to meet your retirement goals across many different market conditions.

Question 5

Do I need a financial advisor?

Accepted Answer

Financial Plan Genie is designed to give you the same caliber of analysis that advisors charge thousands of dollars for. For many people, this is enough to make informed decisions about saving and investing for retirement. However, if you have a complex financial situation — such as business ownership, estate planning needs, or significant tax considerations — consulting a qualified financial advisor can provide additional personalized guidance.

Question 6

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Most users complete their financial plan in about 5 minutes. You will answer questions about your income, savings, investments, and retirement goals. Once submitted, your results — including Monte Carlo probability, net worth projections, and action steps — are generated instantly.

Question 7

Can I update my plan later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your plan is saved to your account and you can update any of your inputs at any time. As your financial situation changes — a raise, a new home, a change in retirement goals — simply log back in and adjust your information. Your results will recalculate automatically.

Question 8

What data do you collect?

Accepted Answer

We collect only the information you provide directly: personal details (age, state), financial data (income, savings, investments, debts), retirement preferences (target age, desired income), and your email for account access. We also collect basic usage analytics to improve the product. We do not collect or store bank login credentials, Social Security numbers, or any payment information.

Question 9

How is my probability calculated?

Accepted Answer

Your success probability is the percentage of Monte Carlo simulation trials in which your portfolio lasts through your entire retirement. Each trial applies randomized annual returns drawn from historical market data to your specific savings rate, investment allocation, and withdrawal plan. If 780 out of 1,000 trials end with money remaining, your success probability is 78%.

Question 10

What's a good success rate?

Accepted Answer

Financial planners generally consider a success rate of 80% or above to be strong, meaning your plan is resilient across most market conditions. A rate between 60% and 80% suggests your plan is viable but could benefit from adjustments like increasing savings or reducing planned spending. Below 60% indicates meaningful risk that should be addressed. The Scenario Explorer tool lets you test changes and see how they affect your probability in real time.

Question 11

Can I download my plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once your plan is complete, you can download a comprehensive PDF report that includes your net worth summary, portfolio allocation, Monte Carlo results, projected growth charts, and personalized action steps. This report is yours to keep, share with a spouse, or bring to a financial advisor for further discussion.

Question 12

What happens to my data if I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

When you delete your account, all of your personal and financial data is permanently removed from our servers. This includes your profile information, plan inputs, results, and any uploaded documents. Deletion is irreversible and typically completes within 24 hours. We do not retain any personally identifiable information after account deletion.

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