In an era marked by economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and diminishing trust in traditional institutions, the quest for financial security in retirement has never been more pressing. Dr. David Eifrig, Jr., a former medical doctor, Goldman Sachs trader, and now CEO of MarketWise—the parent company of Stansberry Research—has positioned himself as a guide for navigating these turbulent waters. His flagship newsletter, Income Intelligence, promises to deliver actionable insights for building wealth and securing a prosperous retirement through income-focused investments. With a bold narrative centered on what he calls the “Great Devaluation” of American life, Eifrig’s approach combines decades of experience in finance and medicine with a mission to empower individuals to take control of their financial futures.
This review delves into the core of Income Intelligence, analyzing its philosophy, investment strategies, track record, and value proposition. We’ll explore Eifrig’s perspective on the challenges facing American retirees, evaluate the newsletter’s recommendations, and assess whether it lives up to its ambitious promises. From its focus on dividend-paying stocks to its unique health and lifestyle insights, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what Income Intelligence offers and whether it’s worth the investment for those seeking retirement security.
Who Is Dr. David Eifrig, Jr.?
Dr. David Eifrig, Jr., is a multifaceted professional whose diverse background shapes the unique perspective he brings to Income Intelligence. Trained as a medical doctor, Eifrig practiced medicine before transitioning to a career in finance, where he worked as a trader and vice president at Goldman Sachs. His disillusionment with the predatory practices he observed on Wall Street and the inefficiencies in the healthcare system led him to join Stansberry Research, where he has spent over two decades advising readers on wealth-building and retirement planning.
Dr. David Eifrig Jr., MD, MBA is the editor of Retirement Millionaire, a monthly advisory that shows readers how to live a millionaire lifestyle on less money than you’d imagine possible. “Doc” is also the editor of Retirement Trader, a trading advisory which shows readers a safe way to double or triple the gains in your retirement account, with much less risk, and Income Intelligence, a monthly investment advisory which shows investors how to expertly time their purchases to maximize their returns.
Eifrig’s credentials are impressive: he’s a published scientific researcher, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and an entrepreneur with experience running businesses. His appointment as CEO of MarketWise in 2025 underscores his leadership within the financial research industry. Eifrig’s personal investment philosophy, which emphasizes low-risk, income-generating assets, forms the backbone of Income Intelligence. He claims to invest his own money using the same strategies he recommends, lending credibility to his advice. However, his bold critiques of American institutions and his alarmist tone regarding the “Great Devaluation” may polarize some readers, raising questions about whether his warnings are grounded in data or designed to captivate an audience.
The Great Devaluation: Eifrig’s Central Thesis
At the heart of Income Intelligence is Eifrig’s concept of the “Great Devaluation,” a term he uses to describe the erosion of purchasing power, labor value, and institutional trust in America. According to Eifrig, this devaluation manifests in several ways:
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Inflation and Rising Costs: Eifrig argues that official inflation figures (e.g., 2-3%) understate the true cost-of-living increases Americans face, with some expenses rising by 30-50%. He cites examples like restaurant surcharges, shrinking product sizes, and soaring healthcare costs as evidence of this hidden inflation.
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Broken Promises: Eifrig contends that institutions—government, corporations, and employers—have reneged on commitments to retirees. He points to the projected insolvency of Social Security by 2033, the shift from defined-benefit to defined-contribution pensions, and the unreliability of healthcare insurers as betrayals of the social contract.
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Declining Quality of Life: From deteriorating infrastructure (e.g., collapsing bridges) to the nickel-and-diming of consumers through “junk fees” (e.g., airline bag fees), Eifrig sees a broader decline in American living standards. He likens modern life to boarding an airplane in “Group 8,” where dignity and comfort are sacrificed for corporate profits.
Eifrig’s narrative is compelling, tapping into widespread frustrations about economic inequality and institutional dysfunction. He supports his claims with data, such as the U.S. national debt surpassing $37 trillion, the dollar’s 97% loss of purchasing power since 1913, and the productivity-wage gap that emerged in the 1970s.
The Three Dilemmas of Retirement
Eifrig structures his investment philosophy around three universal challenges that retirees face, each accompanied by a solution outlined in Income Intelligence. These dilemmas provide a framework for understanding the newsletter’s recommendations and their relevance to readers.
Dilemma 1: The Dollar’s Decline
Eifrig argues that the U.S. dollar’s ongoing devaluation, driven by national debt and inflationary policies, threatens retirement savings. He dismisses debates about the dollar’s reserve currency status as speculative, focusing instead on the immediate impact of inflation on purchasing power. His solution is to invest in hard assets—gold, agriculture, energy, and farmland—that historically outpace inflation.
In his report, The Great Devaluation Survival Guide, Eifrig recommends specific investments, such as an oil company yielding 11% that collects royalties without extraction costs and an agriculture stock with a 21% annual return since 2005. These assets, he claims, are insulated from dollar devaluation and offer both income and capital appreciation. Eifrig’s track record supports this approach: his 2021 recommendation of U.S. I-bonds yielded 9.62% in 2022, and his pick of Royal Gold (RGLD) outperformed the S&P 500 by double since 2021.
Dilemma 2: Scarcity vs. Abundance
Eifrig identifies a psychological barrier to retirement success: the fear of not having enough. He notes that inflation erodes the value of savings (e.g., $1 million today could be worth $300,000 in 30 years at 4% inflation), while societal pressures like social media exacerbate feelings of scarcity. His solution is twofold: generate substantial, reliable income through investments and cultivate a mindset of abundance by living meaningfully.
The newsletter’s World Dominating Dividend Growers portfolio focuses on companies with long histories of dividend growth, such as Altria (347% gain, 18% yield by 2018) and Procter & Gamble (tripled since 2008, 7% yield today). Eifrig emphasizes “yield on cost,” where reinvested dividends compound over time, as seen in his Microsoft recommendation, which turned $10,000 into $246,557 with a 12% yield. Additionally, Income Intelligence includes lifestyle advice on affordable travel, dining, and community-building to foster a sense of abundance.
Dilemma 3: Health and Healthcare Costs
As a former doctor, Eifrig stresses that health is the foundation of a fulfilling retirement. He warns that the U.S. healthcare system prioritizes profit over patient care, leaving retirees vulnerable to high costs and subpar treatment. His solution is to invest in healthcare stocks poised for growth due to AI-driven innovations and an aging population, while adopting healthspan-focused practices to reduce medical expenses.
In A Health ‘Fund’ That Could Pay Your Expenses for Life, Eifrig recommends healthcare stocks like Johnson & Johnson (2.9 million percent lifetime return) and UnitedHealth (22% annual return since 1990). His 5 Ways to Grow Your Healthspan report, previously exclusive to a $5,000 newsletter, offers practical health tips to enhance mobility, cognition, and relationships. Eifrig’s healthcare picks have delivered seven triple-digit winners, including a 374% gain, demonstrating his expertise in this sector.
Income Intelligence: What You Get
Income Intelligence is a monthly newsletter priced at $999 annually (a 60% discount from the standard $2,500, offered as a one-time promotion). Subscribers receive a comprehensive package designed to address the three retirement dilemmas and navigate the Great Devaluation. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
Monthly Issues
Each issue features a new income-focused recommendation, often yielding 10% or more, with potential for double- or triple-digit capital gains. The newsletter covers a range of assets, including stocks, bonds, REITs, preferred shares, and business development companies. Updates on the model portfolio provide guidance on existing positions.
Special Reports
Subscribers receive four bonus reports:
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The Great Devaluation Survival Guide: Recommendations for hard assets like oil and agriculture to combat inflation.
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How to Set Yourself Up for Low-Risk 20% Yields: A list of World Dominating Dividend Growers with high yield potential.
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A Health ‘Fund’ That Could Pay Your Expenses for Life: Healthcare stocks for long-term growth.
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5 Ways to Grow Your Healthspan: Health tips to enhance quality of life and reduce medical costs.
Intelligent Retirement Model
This proprietary asset allocation tool, updated quarterly, helps subscribers optimize their portfolios across stocks, bonds, gold, and REITs. Back-tested over 40 years, it outperformed the 60/40 portfolio by $11 million on a $100,000 investment, with less risk (maximum drawdown of 12% vs. 50% for the market). Since going live in 2021, it has beaten the 60/40 model by 18%.
Additional Features
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Inflation Monitor: Monthly updates on inflation trends and their impact on investments.
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Income Market Overview: A review of the best and worst income-producing assets.
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Income Triggers: Proprietary indicators to time buys and sells.
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Retirement Trader Insights: Quarterly options trading ideas from Eifrig’s $5,000 newsletter, boasting a 95% win rate.
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Retirement Millionaire: A free year of Eifrig’s flagship newsletter ($499 value), covering large-cap stocks and lifestyle tips.
Guarantee and Bonuses
Eifrig offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, allowing subscribers to review all materials and receive a full credit toward other Stansberry services if unsatisfied. Additional bonuses include an undisclosed $2,499 research product, bringing the total value to $10,498 for a $999 subscription—a 90% discount.
Performance and Track Record
Income Intelligence boasts an impressive track record, with dozens of high double- and triple-digit winners, including:
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241% and 138% open gains on unspecified positions.
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93% on Blackstone.
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101% on an asset manager.
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138% on a foreign exchange business.
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86% on a biopharmaceutical company.
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76% on gold and silver royalties.
The newsletter’s average gain since inception is 12%, achieved through low-risk, income-focused investments. Eifrig’s emphasis on dividend reinvestment and yield on cost has delivered standout results, such as Altria’s 347% gain and Procter & Gamble’s tripling since 2008. His healthcare recommendations, like a 374% winner, and commodity picks, like Royal Gold’s outperformance, further validate his expertise.
However, past performance is not a guarantee of future results, and Eifrig acknowledges the inherent risks of investing. The newsletter’s focus on established companies reduces volatility, but subscribers must remain vigilant about market conditions and portfolio management.
Strengths of Income Intelligence
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Comprehensive Approach: Income Intelligence addresses not only financial investments but also health and lifestyle, offering a holistic guide to retirement. Eifrig’s dual expertise in medicine and finance sets the newsletter apart from competitors.
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Proven Track Record: The newsletter’s history of double- and triple-digit gains, coupled with high-yield recommendations, demonstrates Eifrig’s ability to identify undervalued opportunities. The Intelligent Retirement Model’s outperformance adds credibility.
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Value Proposition: At $999 for $10,498 worth of research, the subscription offers significant value, especially with the 60% discount and lifetime price lock. The inclusion of premium reports and a free year of Retirement Millionaire enhances the deal.
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Low-Risk Philosophy: Eifrig’s focus on dividend-paying, high-quality companies minimizes risk while maximizing income and growth potential. His avoidance of speculative assets appeals to conservative investors.
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Actionable Insights: The newsletter provides clear, actionable recommendations, supported by proprietary tools like Income Triggers and the Inflation Monitor. Subscribers receive detailed guidance on when to buy, hold, or sell.
Who Should Subscribe to Income Intelligence?
Income Intelligence is best suited for:
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Retirees or Pre-Retirees: Those nearing or in retirement will benefit from Eifrig’s focus on income generation, healthspan, and low-risk investments.
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Conservative Investors: Individuals seeking steady income and capital preservation over speculative gains will appreciate the newsletter’s philosophy.
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Health-Conscious Investors: Eifrig’s health insights appeal to those prioritizing wellness alongside wealth.
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Long-Term Investors: The dividend reinvestment strategy and Intelligent Retirement Model cater to those with a multi-year horizon.
Is Income Intelligence Worth It?
At $999 for a year’s subscription, Income Intelligence offers substantial value for investors seeking a reliable, income-focused path to retirement. The newsletter’s strengths—Eifrig’s expertise, a proven track record, comprehensive resources, and a low-risk philosophy—make it a compelling choice for retirees and conservative investors. The inclusion of four special reports, a free year of Retirement Millionaire, and the Intelligent Retirement Model, worth $10,498 combined, justifies the cost, especially with the 60% discount and lifetime price lock.
Conclusion
Dr. David Eifrig’s Income Intelligence is more than a financial newsletter; it’s a manifesto for reclaiming financial and personal independence in an era of economic decline. By addressing the three dilemmas of retirement—dollar devaluation, scarcity mindset, and healthcare costs—Eifrig offers a roadmap to wealth and well-being. His blend of income-focused investments, healthspan strategies, and proprietary tools like the Intelligent Retirement Model sets the newsletter apart as a holistic resource for retirees.
While not without flaws, Income Intelligence delivers on its promise of actionable, low-risk recommendations backed by decades of expertise. For investors willing to embrace Eifrig’s vision and invest in their financial future, the newsletter could be a cornerstone of a secure and fulfilling retirement. As Eifrig himself says, “Your retirement freedom is up to you”—and Income Intelligence provides the guidance to make that freedom a reality.
