A timeline can make a user-entered scenario easier to read, but the chart's visual smoothness should not imply certainty. Keep assumptions, dates and the distinction between guaranteed and non-guaranteed figures visible. Use original documents to interpret any policy or investment information.
What to record
Record the source of each input, the period covered and whether values are actual, contractual or illustrative. Label withdrawals and contributions separately. Do not connect uncertain future points in a way that implies a promised outcome.
A practical example
An illustrative payout date should be labelled as a scenario if it is not confirmed by the contract. Where an official illustration contains several scenarios, retain their distinction and references instead of choosing the most attractive line and presenting it as an expectation.
Build and check your own record
- Gather the relevant original records and note their dates. Decide what this summary is for and who, if anyone, needs to receive it.
- Open the tool and use minimal, non-sensitive descriptions. Enter only figures you can explain, mark estimates clearly and leave missing information as unknown.
- Compare the preview with the sources. Check units, dates and totals, and correct any misleading label before exporting. A generated layout does not verify the inputs.
Keep the original documents
Store the summary securely and review it when its source information changes. Keep important decisions, official notices and professional recommendations in their original records. Ask a qualified professional about suitability, tax treatment or legal effect where needed.