How we check every number
Annual Numbers publishes the amounts that change every year: benefit payments, contribution limits, tax brackets and minimum wages. The goal is simple: the right number, from the right source, the day it changes.
Where the numbers come from
Every figure comes from the agency that sets it, such as the Social Security Administration, the IRS, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture or a state labor department. When the agency’s own document is hard to read or not yet posted, we use a reputable summary of it and link both where we can. Each page lists its sources at the bottom.
Official, projected and not yet announced
- Official means the agency has published the figure.
- Projected means an established forecaster, such as Bloomberg Tax, Marsh or Milliman, has calculated the figure from the same formula and inflation data the agency uses, but the agency hasn’t announced it. Projections can be off, usually by a small amount.
- Not yet announced means there is no reliable figure yet.
Every page shows its status next to the title and the date it was last updated.
How we check
- Each number is typed once into a data file and every page reads it from there, so a figure can’t disagree with itself across pages.
- Every figure is compared with its source document before the page goes live.
- Calculators are tested against worked examples, and each one says what it leaves out.
- When an agency releases an official number, we replace the projection and note the change in the update log on the home page.
What this site isn’t
Annual Numbers is independent and isn’t affiliated with any government agency. It explains published figures; it doesn’t give personal tax, legal or benefits advice. For decisions about your own benefits, check with the agency or a qualified professional.
How the site is paid for
The site may show ads. Advertisers have no say over what we publish, and ads never change a number on the page.
Found a mistake?
If a figure doesn’t match its source, tell us. We fix confirmed errors the same day and note the correction.
