diff --git a/R/ids_get.R b/R/ids_get.R
index 2305fc8..de5a2c2 100644
--- a/R/ids_get.R
+++ b/R/ids_get.R
@@ -1,79 +1,119 @@
-#' Fetch Debt Statistics from the World Bank International Debt Statistics API
-#'
-#' This function returns a tibble with debt statistics data fetched from the
-#' World Bank International Debt Statistics (IDS) API. The data can be filtered
-#' by geographies, series, counterparts, and time periods.
-#'
-#' @param geographies A character vector representing the geographic codes
-#'  (e.g., "ZMB" for Zambia). This argument is required and cannot contain NA
-#'  values.
-#' @param series A character vector representing the series codes (e.g.,
-#'  "DT.DOD.DPPG.CD"). This argument is required and cannot contain NA values.
-#' @param counterparts An optional character vector representing counterpart
-#'  areas (e.g., "all", "001"). This argument cannot contain NA values
-#'  (default: "all").
-#' @param start_date An optional numeric value representing the starting year
-#'  (e.g., 2015). It must be greater than or equal to 1970. If not provided, the
-#'  entire time range is used.
-#' @param end_date An optional numeric value representing the ending year (e.g.,
-#'  2020). It must be greater than or equal to 1970 and cannot be earlier than
-#'  `start_date`. If not provided, the entire available time range is used.
-#' @param progress A logical value indicating whether to display a progress
-#'  message during the request process (default: `FALSE`). Must be either `TRUE`
-#'  or `FALSE`.
+#' Fetch Data from the World Bank International Debt Statistics (IDS) API
+#'
+#' Retrieves standardized debt statistics from the World Bank's International
+#' Debt Statistics (IDS) database, which provides comprehensive data on the
+#' external debt of low and middle-income countries. The function handles
+#' country identification, data validation, and unit standardization, making it
+#' easier to conduct cross-country debt analysis and monitoring.
+#'
+#' @param geographies A character vector of geography identifiers representing
+#'   debtor countries and aggregates. Must use `geography_id` from
+#'   \link{ids_list_geographies}:
+#'   * For individual countries, use ISO3C codes (e.g., "GHA" for Ghana)
+#'   * For aggregates, use World Bank codes (e.g., "LIC" for low income
+#'     countries)
+#'   The IDS database covers low and middle-income countries and related
+#'   aggregates only. Cannot contain NA values.
+#'
+#' @param series A character vector of debt statistics series identifiers that
+#'   must match the `series_id` column from \link{ids_list_series}. Each
+#'   series represents a specific debt statistic (e.g., "DT.DOD.DECT.CD" for
+#'   total external debt stocks, "DT.TDS.DECT.CD" for debt service payments).
+#'   Cannot contain NA values.
+#
+#' @param counterparts A character vector of creditor identifiers that must
+#'   match the `counterpart_id` column from \link{ids_list_counterparts}. The
+#'   default "WLD" returns aggregated global totals across all creditors.
+#'   Common options:
+#'   * "WLD" - World total (aggregated across all creditors)
+#'   * "all" - Retrieve data broken down by all creditors
+#'   * All identifiers are strings, but some are string-formatted numbers
+#'     (e.g., "730" for China, "907" for IMF), while others are alphabetic
+#'     codes (e.g., "BND" for bondholders)
+#'   Cannot contain NA values.
+#
+#' @param start_date A numeric value representing the starting year (default:
+#'   2000). This default is intended to reduce data volume. For historical
+#'   analysis, explicitly set to 1970 (the earliest year of data available).
+#'
+#' @param end_date A numeric value representing the ending year (default: NULL).
+#'   Must be >= 1970 and cannot be earlier than start_date. If NULL, returns
+#'   data through the most recent available year. Some debt service-related
+#'   series include projections of debt service. For the 2024 data release,
+#'   debt service projections are available through 2031.
+#'
+#' @param progress A logical value indicating whether to display progress
+#'   messages during data retrieval (default: FALSE).
 #'
 #' @return A tibble containing debt statistics with the following columns:
 #' \describe{
-#'   \item{geography_id}{The unique identifier for the geography (e.g., "ZMB").}
-#'   \item{series_id}{The unique identifier for the series (e.g.,
-#'                    "DT.DOD.DPPG.CD").}
-#'   \item{counterpart_id}{The unique identifier for the counterpart (e.g.,
-#'                         "all").}
-#'   \item{year}{The year corresponding to the data (e.g., 2020).}
-#'   \item{value}{The numeric value representing the statistic for the given
-#'                geography, series, counterpart, and year.}
+#'   \item{geography_id}{The identifier for the debtor geography (e.g., "GHA"
+#'     for Ghana, "LIC" for low income countries)}
+#'   \item{series_id}{The identifier for the debt statistic series (e.g.,
+#'     "DT.DOD.DECT.CD" for total external debt stocks)}
+#'   \item{counterpart_id}{The identifier for the creditor (e.g., "WLD" for
+#'     world total, "730" for China)}
+#'   \item{year}{The year of the observation}
+#'   \item{value}{The numeric value of the debt statistic, standardized to the
+#'     units specified in the series definition (typically current US dollars)}
 #' }
 #'
-#' @export
+#' @section Data Coverage and Validation:
+#' The IDS database provides detailed debt statistics for low and middle-income
+#' countries, including:
+#' * Debt stocks and flows
+#' * Debt service and interest payments
+#' * Creditor composition
+#' * Terms and conditions of new commitments
 #'
-#' @examplesIf curl::has_internet()
-#' \donttest{
-#' # Fetch data for a series without specifying a time range or counterpart
-#' ids_get(
-#'   geographies = "ZMB",
-#'   series = "DT.DOD.DPPG.CD",
-#' )
+#' To ensure valid queries:
+#' * Use \link{ids_list_geographies} to find valid debtor geography codes
+#' * Use \link{ids_list_series} to explore available debt statistics
+#' * Use \link{ids_list_counterparts} to see available creditor codes
 #'
-#' # Fetch specific debt statistics for Zambia from 2015 to 2020
-#' ids_get(
-#'   geographies = "ZMB",
-#'   series = c("DT.DOD.DPPG.CD", "BM.GSR.TOTL.CD"),
-#'   start_date = 2015,
-#'   end_date = 2020
+#' @examples
+#' \donttest{
+#' # Get total external debt stocks for a single country from 2000 onward
+#' ghana_debt <- ids_get(
+#'   geographies = "GHA",
+#'   series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD"  # External debt stocks, total
 #' )
 #'
-#' # Fetch data for specific counterparts
-#' ids_get(
-#'   geographies = "ZMB",
-#'   series = "DT.DOD.DPPG.CD",
-#'   counterparts = c("216", "231")
+#' # Compare debt service metrics across income groups
+#' income_groups <- ids_get(
+#'   geographies = c("LIC", "LMC", "UMC"),  # Income group aggregates
+#'   series = "DT.TDS.DECT.CD",  # Total debt service
+#'   start_date = 2010
 #' )
 #'
-#' # Fetch data for multiple geographies and counterparts
-#' ids_get(
-#'   geographies = c("ZMB", "CHN"),
-#'   series = "DT.DOD.DPPG.CD",
-#'   counterparts = c("216", "231"),
-#'   start_date = 2019,
-#'   end_date = 2020
+#' # Analyze debt composition by major creditors
+#' creditor_analysis <- ids_get(
+#'   geographies = c("KEN", "ETH"),  # Kenya and Ethiopia
+#'   series = c(
+#'     "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",  # Total external debt
+#'     "DT.TDS.DECT.CD"   # Total debt service
+#'   ),
+#'   counterparts = c(
+#'     "WLD",  # World total
+#'     "730",  # China
+#'     "907",  # IMF
+#'     "BND"   # Bondholders
+#'   ),
+#'   start_date = 2015
 #' )
 #' }
 #'
+#' @seealso
+#' * `ids_list_geographies()` for available debtor geography codes
+#' * `ids_list_series()` for available debt statistics series codes
+#' * `ids_list_counterparts()` for available creditor codes
+#'
+#' @export
 ids_get <- function(
   geographies,
   series,
-  counterparts = "all",
-  start_date = NULL,
+  counterparts = "WLD",
+  start_date = 2000,
   end_date = NULL,
   progress = FALSE
 ) {
@@ -94,6 +134,9 @@ ids_get <- function(
   # Process debt statistics
   debt_statistics <- process_debt_statistics(debt_statistics_raw)
 
+  # Apply specific filtering logic for years beyond latest actual data
+  debt_statistics <- filter_post_actual_na(debt_statistics)
+
   debt_statistics
 }
 
@@ -155,11 +198,11 @@ create_progress_message <- function(
   }
 
   paste(
-    "Fetching series", series,
-    "for geography", geography,
-    ", counterpart", counterpart,
-    ", and time", time
-  )
+      "Fetching series", series,
+      "for geography", geography,
+      ", counterpart", counterpart,
+      ", and time", time
+    )
 }
 
 #' Create Resource URL
@@ -342,6 +385,12 @@ validate_progress <- function(progress) {
   }
 }
 
+
+# to be updated manually with each release
+# for the 2024-12 IDS release:
+latest_year_observed <- 2023
+latest_year_projections <- 2031
+
 #' Validate Year Input
 #'
 #' Helper function to validate a year input is numeric, single value, and >=
@@ -385,8 +434,42 @@ process_time_range <- function(start_date, end_date) {
         "{.arg start_date} cannot be greater than {.arg end_date}."
       )
     }
-    paste("YR", seq(start_date, end_date, by = 1), collapse = ";", sep = "")
+    paste(
+      "YR", seq(start_date, end_date, by = 1),
+      collapse = ";", sep = ""
+    )
+  } else if (!is.null(start_date)) {
+    paste(
+      "YR", seq(start_date, latest_year_projections, by = 1),
+      collapse = ";", sep = ""
+    )
   } else {
     "all"
   }
 }
+
+#' Filter Data for Years Beyond Latest Observed Data
+#'
+#' This function filters out rows for years beyond the latest observed data
+#' and removes rows with NA values for these years.
+#'
+#' @param data The data to filter.
+#'
+#' @return The filtered data.
+#'
+#' @noRd
+#' @keywords internal
+filter_post_actual_na <- function(data) {
+  # Identify rows after the latest actual year
+  data_after_actual <- data |>
+    filter(.data$year > latest_year_observed)
+
+  # Check if all rows for these years have NA in `value`
+  if (all(is.na(data_after_actual$value))) {
+    # Remove these rows from the data
+    data <- data |>
+      filter(.data$year <= latest_year_observed)
+  }
+
+  data
+}
diff --git a/man/ids_get.Rd b/man/ids_get.Rd
index b9a620a..445dd32 100644
--- a/man/ids_get.Rd
+++ b/man/ids_get.Rd
@@ -2,91 +2,138 @@
 % Please edit documentation in R/ids_get.R
 \name{ids_get}
 \alias{ids_get}
-\title{Fetch Debt Statistics from the World Bank International Debt Statistics API}
+\title{Fetch Data from the World Bank International Debt Statistics (IDS) API}
 \usage{
 ids_get(
   geographies,
   series,
-  counterparts = "all",
-  start_date = NULL,
+  counterparts = "WLD",
+  start_date = 2000,
   end_date = NULL,
   progress = FALSE
 )
 }
 \arguments{
-\item{geographies}{A character vector representing the geographic codes
-(e.g., "ZMB" for Zambia). This argument is required and cannot contain NA
-values.}
+\item{geographies}{A character vector of geography identifiers representing
+debtor countries and aggregates. Must use \code{geography_id} from
+\code{ids_list_geographies()}:
+\itemize{
+\item For individual countries, use ISO3C codes (e.g., "GHA" for Ghana)
+\item For aggregates, use World Bank codes (e.g., "LIC" for low income
+countries)
+The IDS database covers low and middle-income countries and related
+aggregates only. Cannot contain NA values.
+}}
 
-\item{series}{A character vector representing the series codes (e.g.,
-"DT.DOD.DPPG.CD"). This argument is required and cannot contain NA values.}
+\item{series}{A character vector of debt statistics series identifiers that
+must match the \code{series_id} column from \code{ids_list_series()}. Each series
+represents a specific debt statistic (e.g., "DT.DOD.DECT.CD" for total
+external debt stocks, "DT.TDS.DECT.CD" for debt service payments). Cannot
+contain NA values.}
 
-\item{counterparts}{An optional character vector representing counterpart
-areas (e.g., "all", "001"). This argument cannot contain NA values
-(default: "all").}
+\item{counterparts}{A character vector of creditor identifiers that must
+match the \code{counterpart_id} column from \code{ids_list_counterparts()}. The
+default "WLD" returns aggregated global totals across all creditors.
+Common options:
+\itemize{
+\item "WLD" - World total (aggregated across all creditors)
+\item "all" - Retrieve data broken down by all creditors
+\item Individual creditors use numeric codes (e.g., "730" for China)
+\item Special creditors have text codes (e.g., "907" for IMF, "BND" for
+bondholders)
+Cannot contain NA values.
+}}
 
-\item{start_date}{An optional numeric value representing the starting year
-(e.g., 2015). It must be greater than or equal to 1970. If not provided, the
-entire time range is used.}
+\item{start_date}{A numeric value representing the starting year (default:
+2000). Must be >= 1970. The default focuses on modern data while reducing
+data volume. For historical analysis, explicitly set to 1970.}
 
-\item{end_date}{An optional numeric value representing the ending year (e.g.,
-2020). It must be greater than or equal to 1970 and cannot be earlier than
-\code{start_date}. If not provided, the entire available time range is used.}
+\item{end_date}{A numeric value representing the ending year (default: NULL).
+Must be >= 1970 and cannot be earlier than start_date. If NULL, returns
+data through the most recent available year. Some debt service related
+series include projections of debt service.  For the 2024 data release,
+debt service projections available through 2031.}
 
-\item{progress}{A logical value indicating whether to display a progress
-message during the request process (default: \code{FALSE}). Must be either \code{TRUE}
-or \code{FALSE}.}
+\item{progress}{A logical value indicating whether to display progress
+messages during data retrieval (default: FALSE).}
 }
 \value{
 A tibble containing debt statistics with the following columns:
 \describe{
-\item{geography_id}{The unique identifier for the geography (e.g., "ZMB").}
-\item{series_id}{The unique identifier for the series (e.g.,
-"DT.DOD.DPPG.CD").}
-\item{counterpart_id}{The unique identifier for the counterpart (e.g.,
-"all").}
-\item{year}{The year corresponding to the data (e.g., 2020).}
-\item{value}{The numeric value representing the statistic for the given
-geography, series, counterpart, and year.}
+\item{geography_id}{The identifier for the debtor geography (e.g., "GHA"
+for Ghana, "LIC" for low income countries)}
+\item{series_id}{The identifier for the debt statistic series (e.g.,
+"DT.DOD.DECT.CD" for total external debt stocks)}
+\item{counterpart_id}{The identifier for the creditor (e.g., "WLD" for
+world total, "730" for China)}
+\item{year}{The year of the observation}
+\item{value}{The numeric value of the debt statistic, standardized to the
+units specified in the series definition (typically current US dollars)}
 }
 }
 \description{
-This function returns a tibble with debt statistics data fetched from the
-World Bank International Debt Statistics (IDS) API. The data can be filtered
-by geographies, series, counterparts, and time periods.
+Retrieves standardized debt statistics from the World Bank's International
+Debt Statistics (IDS) database, which provides comprehensive data on the
+external debt of low and middle-income countries. The function handles
+country identification, data validation, and unit standardization, making it
+easier to conduct cross-country debt analysis and monitoring.
 }
+\section{Data Coverage and Validation}{
+
+The IDS database provides detailed debt statistics for low and middle-income
+countries, including:
+\itemize{
+\item Debt stocks and flows
+\item Debt service and interest payments
+\item Creditor composition
+\item Terms and conditions of new commitments
+}
+
+To ensure valid queries:
+\itemize{
+\item Use \code{ids_list_geographies()} to find valid debtor geography codes
+\item Use \code{ids_list_series()} to explore available debt statistics
+\item Use \code{ids_list_counterparts()} to see available creditor codes
+}
+}
+
 \examples{
-\dontshow{if (curl::has_internet()) (if (getRversion() >= "3.4") withAutoprint else force)(\{ # examplesIf}
 \donttest{
-# Fetch data for a series without specifying a time range or counterpart
-ids_get(
-  geographies = "ZMB",
-  series = "DT.DOD.DPPG.CD",
+# Get total external debt stocks for a single country from 2000 onward
+ghana_debt <- ids_get(
+  geographies = "GHA",
+  series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD"  # External debt stocks, total
 )
 
-# Fetch specific debt statistics for Zambia from 2015 to 2020
-ids_get(
-  geographies = "ZMB",
-  series = c("DT.DOD.DPPG.CD", "BM.GSR.TOTL.CD"),
-  start_date = 2015,
-  end_date = 2020
+# Compare debt service metrics across income groups
+income_groups <- ids_get(
+  geographies = c("LIC", "LMC", "UMC"),  # Income group aggregates
+  series = "DT.TDS.DECT.CD",  # Total debt service
+  start_date = 2010
 )
 
-# Fetch data for specific counterparts
-ids_get(
-  geographies = "ZMB",
-  series = "DT.DOD.DPPG.CD",
-  counterparts = c("216", "231")
+# Analyze debt composition by major creditors
+creditor_analysis <- ids_get(
+  geographies = c("KEN", "ETH"),  # Kenya and Ethiopia
+  series = c(
+    "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",  # Total external debt
+    "DT.TDS.DECT.CD"   # Total debt service
+  ),
+  counterparts = c(
+    "WLD",  # World total
+    "730",  # China
+    "907",  # IMF
+    "BND"   # Bondholders
+  ),
+  start_date = 2015
 )
+}
 
-# Fetch data for multiple geographies and counterparts
-ids_get(
-  geographies = c("ZMB", "CHN"),
-  series = "DT.DOD.DPPG.CD",
-  counterparts = c("216", "231"),
-  start_date = 2019,
-  end_date = 2020
-)
 }
-\dontshow{\}) # examplesIf}
+\seealso{
+\itemize{
+\item \code{ids_list_geographies()} for available debtor geography codes
+\item \code{ids_list_series()} for available debt statistics series codes
+\item \code{ids_list_counterparts()} for available creditor codes
+}
 }
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-ids_bulk.R b/tests/testthat/test-ids_bulk.R
index 5d33476..ff6bcb2 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/test-ids_bulk.R
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-ids_bulk.R
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ test_that("ids_bulk handles custom file paths", {
     },
     process_bulk_data = function(...) {
       tibble::tibble()
+    },
+    get_response_headers = function(...) {
+      list(`content-length` = 1000)
     }
   )
 
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-ids_get.R b/tests/testthat/test-ids_get.R
index d12ecf6..0149303 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/test-ids_get.R
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-ids_get.R
@@ -407,3 +407,145 @@ test_that("ids_get enforces vector length limits", {
     NA
   )
 })
+
+test_that("ids_get uses new default parameters correctly", {
+  # Test that default counterparts = "WLD"
+  default_result <- ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD"
+  )
+
+  # All records should have counterpart_id = "WLD"
+  expect_true(all(default_result$counterpart_id == "WLD"))
+
+  # All years should be >= 2000 (the new default start_date)
+  expect_true(all(default_result$year >= 2000))
+})
+
+test_that("ids_get filters post-observed-year NAs correctly", {
+  result <- ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD"
+  )
+
+  # Ensure no rows exist beyond latest_year_observed if all values are NA
+  expect_true(all(result$year <= latest_year_observed | !is.na(result$value)))
+})
+
+test_that("ids_get correctly applies default years for projection series", {
+  result <- ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.TDS.DECT.CD"  # Projection series
+  )
+
+  # Verify the years in the result
+  expect_true(all(result$year >= 2000 & result$year <= latest_year_projections))
+})
+
+test_that("ids_get retains post-actual-year data with values", {
+  result <- tibble(
+    geography_id = rep("GHA", 12),
+    series_id = rep("DT.DOD.DECT.CD", 12),
+    counterpart_id = rep("WLD", 12),
+    year = 2020:latest_year_projections,
+    value = c(1:4, rep(NA, 8))
+  )
+
+  filtered_result <- filter_post_actual_na(result)
+
+  # Rows with years <= LATEST_YEAR_ACTUAL should remain
+  expect_equal(filtered_result$year, 2020:latest_year_observed)
+})
+
+test_that("ids_get handles valid geography codes correctly", {
+  # Test individual country code (ISO3C)
+  expect_silent(ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",
+    start_date = 2020,
+    end_date = 2020
+  ))
+
+  # Test income group aggregate code
+  expect_silent(ids_get(
+    geographies = "LIC",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",
+    start_date = 2020,
+    end_date = 2020
+  ))
+
+  # Test multiple geography types together
+  expect_silent(ids_get(
+    geographies = c("GHA", "LIC"),
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",
+    start_date = 2020,
+    end_date = 2020
+  ))
+})
+
+test_that("ids_get handles valid counterpart codes correctly", {
+  # Test default world aggregate
+  expect_silent(ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",
+    counterparts = "WLD",
+    start_date = 2020,
+    end_date = 2020
+  ))
+
+  # Test numeric country code
+  expect_silent(ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",
+    counterparts = "730",  # China
+    start_date = 2020,
+    end_date = 2020
+  ))
+
+  # Test special text codes
+  expect_silent(ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",
+    counterparts = c("907", "BND"),  # IMF and bondholders
+    start_date = 2020,
+    end_date = 2020
+  ))
+
+  # Test requesting all counterparts
+  expect_silent(ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",
+    counterparts = "all",
+    start_date = 2020,
+    end_date = 2020
+  ))
+})
+
+test_that("ids_get returns expected data structure", {
+  result <- ids_get(
+    geographies = "GHA",
+    series = "DT.DOD.DECT.CD",
+    start_date = 2020,
+    end_date = 2020
+  )
+
+  # Check tibble structure
+  expect_s3_class(result, "tbl_df")
+
+  # Verify column names
+  expected_columns <- c(
+    "geography_id",
+    "series_id",
+    "counterpart_id",
+    "year",
+    "value"
+  )
+  expect_named(result, expected_columns)
+
+  # Check data types
+  expect_type(result$geography_id, "character")
+  expect_type(result$series_id, "character")
+  expect_type(result$counterpart_id, "character")
+  expect_type(result$year, "integer")
+  expect_type(result$value, "double")
+})