Fact-Checking Policy
Every rule, rate, and number on this site should trace back to a source you can open yourself. This page explains how we check claims before we publish, how we handle facts that change, and what we do when a check fails.
The core rule
Every specific factual claim must be checkable against a named primary source at the moment we publish it. “Checkable” means you can open the same source and confirm it. “Named” means we cite it on the page.
Three kinds of claims, three standards
Not every sentence needs the same check. We separate claims into three types, so you always know which one you are reading. Financial facts also change fast: a rate or a tax limit can be right today and wrong next month, so checking a claim once is not enough.
Factual claims
Statements that are either true or false, such as a rate, a limit, a rule, or what an agency said. We verify each one against a primary source and cite it. The source must be current.
Analytical claims
Conclusions drawn from facts, such as a projection. The underlying data must pass the factual standard, and we describe the method and key assumptions so you can judge the reasoning.
Opinions
Our judgments, such as “we think this offers better value”. We label them as ours, ground them in the facts before them, and never use them to hide a claim that should be verified.
What the standard looks like in practice
| Weak version | Why it fails | Better version |
|---|---|---|
| “This savings account pays great interest.” | An opinion presented as fact, with no rate, date, or source. | “This account pays [rate]% APY as of [month and year], according to the provider’s published rates. In our assessment, that is competitive for this type of account.” (Figures shown as placeholders.) |
| “Index funds always beat active funds.” | An absolute claim about an uncertain outcome. | “S&P’s SPIVA reports (opens in a new tab) have found that most actively managed funds trailed their benchmark over 10-year periods, after fees. That is a tendency, not a guarantee for any one fund.” |
| “The 401(k) limit is $24,500.” | No tax year, no source, and no scope. | “For 2026, the IRS limit on employee 401(k) contributions is $24,500, as announced by the IRS on November 13, 2025 (opens in a new tab). Workers age 50 and older can add catch-up contributions.” |
How we check a claim
Every factual claim goes through these five steps between the first draft and the published page. This is one part of the wider Financial Review Process.
Mark the claim
While drafting, we tag every specific claim with its source. A claim that reaches review with no source counts as a defect.
Check the source
A person opens the source and confirms our wording matches it, that it is the current version, and that it covers the same jurisdiction we are writing about.
Check it is current
We confirm the rule, rate, or term has not changed since the source was published. If a source is more than six months old, we recheck with the agency.
Recalculate the numbers
We rebuild each calculation from scratch, using the stated inputs, and confirm the inputs come from a verified source. We never repeat someone else’s math.
Final check
Before publishing, we confirm every claim has a named source, opinions are labeled, and nothing has changed since drafting.
Extra care for high-stakes topics
Tax, investment rules, retirement, insurance, and estate planning get a second, dedicated check. We look for statements that are technically true but could still lead a reader to the wrong conclusion. If a licensed reviewer checks a piece, we name them on it. If not, we do not imply one did.
If we cannot verify a claim
We either reframe it as our own labeled analysis or remove it. We do not publish a claim just because other sites repeat it.
AI-assisted drafts
AI tools can help draft, as our Editorial Guidelines explain. Every claim in an AI-assisted draft is checked by a person against its source. AI output never counts as verification.
Calculators
Our free calculators use documented formulas that we test against known inputs, and the figures inside them, such as tax limits, are rechecked when those figures change.
Where we check each kind of fact
Different topics have different authoritative sources. This is where we go first for each one. Our Research Methodology explains how we gather them.
| Topic | Typical claims | Primary sources |
|---|---|---|
| Tax rules | Tax brackets, deductions, contribution limits, deadlines, penalties | IRS (opens in a new tab) and state revenue departments |
| Bank rates and fees | APY, APR, fees, eligibility | The provider’s own published rate schedule and disclosures, always dated |
| Interest rates and monetary policy | The federal funds rate and policy decisions | Federal Reserve (opens in a new tab) |
| Investing rules | Investor protections, registration, fund rules | SEC (opens in a new tab) and FINRA (opens in a new tab) |
| Retirement and Social Security | Contribution limits, catch-up rules, required distributions, benefit amounts | IRS and the Social Security Administration (opens in a new tab) |
| Economic data | Inflation, jobs, GDP, income | Bureau of Labor Statistics (opens in a new tab), Bureau of Economic Analysis (opens in a new tab), and the Census Bureau (opens in a new tab) |
| Deposit insurance | Coverage limits and whether a bank is insured | FDIC (opens in a new tab) |
| Credit, loans, and mortgages | Consumer credit rules, mortgage disclosures | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (opens in a new tab) |
| Insurance | Coverage terms, exclusions, state requirements | The insurer’s policy documents, state insurance departments, and the NAIC (opens in a new tab) |
Red flags that trigger extra scrutiny
Some claims are more likely to be wrong, or more harmful if they are. When we see one of these, we look harder.
Absolute language
“Always”, “never”, “guaranteed”, or “risk-free” about a financial outcome. Outcomes are uncertain, so absolute words either hide a risk or contain an error.
Specific returns
Any historical return or yield must be traced to the original data, with the date range stated. Annualized figures are labeled as such, and a past-performance warning sits next to them.
Products that pay us a commission
Claims about a product we may earn from get their own separate verification, judged on the facts alone. See our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure.
Rules that change often
Tax limits, benefit amounts, and consumer-protection thresholds trigger an automatic currency check: when was the source last updated, and has anything changed since?
Claims that fit the conclusion too neatly
If a statistic strongly supports our conclusion, we check whether it is being used out of context. A cherry-picked accurate number can mislead as much as a wrong one.
Rules that vary by state
Federal rules are not always state rules. A claim that treats one state’s rule as universal is rewritten to say where it applies.
Facts that change
Rates move, tax limits reset, and rules change. Our approach has three parts: date everything, flag what will change, and update before it misleads.
Fast-changing facts
Product rates and central bank decisions carry an “as of” date and point you to the source for the current figure. When a rate changes, we update the page.
Yearly facts
Tax-year figures and contribution limits name the year they apply to. We recheck them when the new figures are published, and at least once a year.
Slow-changing facts
Explainers on lasting ideas, such as how compound interest works, are dated and reviewed at least every two years, or sooner if something material changes.
If a page goes out of date
We update it as soon as we find out. If we cannot update it right away, we add a visible notice that the information is under review and link to the source for current figures.
When facts are disputed or uncertain
Some claims cannot be settled with a single source. Here is how we handle them.
Credible sources disagree
We do not pick the figure that suits our conclusion. We show the range, name each source and method, and explain why they differ.
The evidence is uncertain
We say so plainly, for example “studies disagree”, and describe what each side found. Pretending to certainty is a form of misinformation.
A popular claim has no traceable source
A statistic repeated across many sites is not verified just because it is repeated. If we cannot trace it to a primary source, we do not use it.
Two authorities conflict
When two regulators, or an agency and a court, point different ways, we present both, explain the conflict, and say which carries more legal weight. We also recommend advice from a licensed professional.
When a check fails
No process catches everything. When an error reaches a published page, our response is the same every time and it is public: no silent edits, no calling a mistake a “clarification”, and no playing it down.
Recheck the claim
We go back to the primary source right away. An error is not acknowledged until it is confirmed, and a claim we cannot verify is not defended.
Correct it, visibly
We fix the text and add a note to the article saying what was wrong, what is right, and when we changed it. See the Complaints & Corrections Policy.
Find out why
We treat every confirmed error as a process failure and ask which check missed it, so we can prevent the same kind of mistake.
Check other pages
If the error could affect other articles or calculators, we review all of them, not only the one reported.
How to challenge a claim
Readers often know things we do not, and a challenge makes our work stronger. Anyone can report an error, including readers, professionals, regulators, and competitors. We judge the evidence, not the sender.
Include this in your email
- The page address (URL)
- The exact claim you believe is wrong
- A primary source for the correct information, if you have one
- An email address, if you would like a reply
We reply within 5 business days. If we confirm an error, we correct it in public. If re-checking shows the original claim is right, we send you the source and our reasoning. A correction from an advertiser or partner gets the same treatment, and it is still a valid correction if it is accurate.
Common questions
Quick answers about how we check facts.
How can I tell a fact from an opinion on your site?
Facts come with a cited primary source. Analysis explains its method with phrases like “based on” or “this assumes”. Opinions use wording such as “in our assessment”. If you find a specific factual claim with no source, please tell us.
What if a source you cited has since changed?
It can happen between reviews. Each page shows a date, so you can judge how current it is, and time-sensitive figures are rechecked when they change and at least once a year. If you spot an outdated citation, email us and we will verify the current source and update the page.
Do you check claims about products you earn commission on?
Yes, with an extra pass. Facts about a product we may earn from, such as fees, rates, and eligibility, are checked on their own merits, exactly as if there were no commercial relationship.
Do you check reader comments?
We do not run reader comments. If reader-submitted content ever appears on the site, it will meet the same standard as our own writing before it is published.
What if two regulators give conflicting guidance?
We present both positions with attribution, explain the conflict, and say which one carries more legal weight. We do not choose the one that is most convenient, and we recommend that you get professional advice for your situation.
Who does the fact-checking?
Our team of seven researches and analyzes every article, and a person on the team checks each claim against its source before publication. Sameer Patel, Founder & Editor, is accountable for the result.
Report an error
If you have found a mistake, email us with the details above. We do not use contact forms.
You can also visit our Contact page.
Policy statement
Policy statement: This Fact-Checking Policy applies to all content on financeauthorityhub.com, published by KCS Global Group, including articles, guides, and calculators, and to anyone we credit as a reviewer. We review it at least once a year and whenever our practice changes. The content is educational and is not personal financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Please read our Financial Disclaimer.