AI Retirement Advice Fails the Math — Here’s What Both ChatGPT and Claude Miss
MF
Milo Fairchild
payment for order flow SEC · Apr 8, 2026
Source: DojiDoji Data Terminal
AI-generated retirement plans from both ChatGPT and Claude contain fundamental flaws that could mislead users about how much they need to save, despite one model outperforming the other in key areas. When GOBankingRates tasked ChatGPT with building a financial plan for a 40-year-old targeting $100,000 annually in retirement, CFP Eric Franklin found the math was literally incorrect. A second plan, generated by Claude using the same prompt, avoided that error and went further—factoring in Social Security, recommending deferral to age 70, and addressing tax brackets, inflation, healthcare and disability insurance, and HSA and FSA accounts. Phil de la Motte, another CFP at Prospero Wealth, said Claude beat ChatGPT in nearly every dimension, with no major topic covered by ChatGPT that Claude missed.
Still, both failed at core elements of sound retirement planning. Neither addressed risk tolerance or risk capacity—critical inputs for personalized advice. Neither ran Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the probability of retirement success, instead assuming fixed, perpetually positive investment returns. That flaw risks drastically underestimating the size of the nest egg required. At the same time, both defaulted to a rigid 4% withdrawal rule without considering dynamic spending strategies, which could lead some to save more than necessary.
De la Motte emphasized that no one should use either AI to make irreversible financial decisions. While a well-crafted prompt can turn AI into a useful starting point—especially for those who’ve done little retirement planning—the output lacks the nuance and safeguards of professional guidance. Anyone using these tools should invest hours refining prompts, treat the results as preliminary, and consult a human financial advisor before adjusting savings or investment strategies.
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