The Parameters tab controls the assumptions that shape every cycle: how many years the simulation runs, when retirement starts, how returns and inflation are sampled, the tax jurisdiction, and the withdrawal strategy that decides where money is pulled from each year.

Core fields

• Simulation Years. Length of retirement horizon.
• Retirement Year. Anchor for spending start and retirement-linked timing.
• Inflation Settings. Constant Inflation, Historic Inflation, or Monte Carlo Inflation (a Pro feature: randomized paths fit to historical CPI; works with Historic or Monte Carlo returns). Optional: Offset by a percentage. In Monte Carlo mode the Monte Carlo page manages the same setting (Monte Carlo or Constant), and the Monte Carlo CPI fit accepts an optional percentage or offset modifier configured there.
• Returns Settings. Historic Returns (with an optional data year range that limits which historical years cycles may draw from), Constant Returns (equity / dividend / bond / cash rates), or Monte Carlo (a Pro feature: randomized paths for the four built-in classes, with the controls on the Monte Carlo page rather than in this modal).
• Tax Jurisdiction. Controls which tax country and account types are available.

Withdrawal strategy

The Withdrawal Strategy section decides where the simulation pulls money from each year to cover spending and taxes. You can choose between two modes: Bucket Strategy or Advanced Phases.

Bucket Strategy

The Bucket Strategy divides your accounts into three time-horizon buckets, each with its own role in funding spending and weathering market downturns:

• Bucket 1 (Cash/Safety). 1–3 years of spending. All withdrawals come from here first.
• Bucket 2 (Income). 3–10 years. Bonds and moderate-growth holdings.
• Bucket 3 (Growth). Long-term equity growth. Refills the other buckets over time.

Dividends from Buckets 2 and 3 are automatically swept into Bucket 1. In bear markets, the strategy stops selling equities and lets Bucket 1 draw down. Protecting the growth bucket until markets recover.

To place accounts, click Accept All Suggestions to use the suggested placement, or Manually Select to start with every account in Bucket 1. From there, use the left/right arrows on each account card to move it between buckets.

Every account has to be placed, and each of the three buckets has to hold at least one account. Until both are true the Run button stays disabled and the editor names what is missing. If your plan has fewer than three accounts, add one on the Accounts tab or use Advanced Phases instead.

Advanced Phases

Advanced Phases lets you dictate the exact order accounts are drawn down. Use the left/right arrows on each account card to move it between Phase 1, Phase 2, and so on. Phase 1 accounts are drained to $0 before the simulation moves to Phase 2. While a phase is active, the rebalancer tries to keep contributions inside that phase unless it has no choice. Early-withdrawal-penalty avoidance is always prioritized within a phase.